Researches:
Article title: Neonauclea formicaria (Rubiaceae) Leaf Extract Inhibits Vascularization in the Chorioallantoic Membrane of Duck Embryos
Authors: Jonathan Vergaraa, Meljan Demetillob, Leila Ombatc and Jashin Rosal
Publication title: Letters of Natural Sciences 83:22-31, July 2021
Abstract:
Plants are reservoirs of bioactive compounds with the potential for pharmaceutical use. In this study, the secondary metabolites of Neonauclea formicaria leaf crude ethanolic extract were determined using phytochemical screening. The plant's leaf extract was then used to test its angiogenesis activity using the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Four concentrations of the extract were prepared—0.1 mg/L, 1.0 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L, and 100.0 mg/L and were topically applied on the CAM. Phytochemical screening revealed that N. formicaria leaves contain heavy amounts of flavonoids and tannins, while alkaloids, saponins, and steroids were present in trace amounts. The crude ethanolic extract was anti-angiogenic, as indicated by the significant decrease of vascular density at higher concentrations (P<0.05). The 100 mg/L extract concentration showed the highest vascular inhibition (50.93%) among the other concentrations, suggesting its angiopreventive potential (P<0.05). Further investigation on the embryo's gross morphometry revealed no significant effects in the weight, crown-rump length, head-beak length, forelimb length, and hind limb length. Also, these indices were not associated with the angiogenesis activity on the CAM. Further studies exploring the specific metabolites of the different plant parts of N. formicaria and the plant's angiopreventive potential are recommended.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/wx2d59vd
Article title: Ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal animals and their products used by the Manobo Umayamnon tribe in the Southern Philippines
Authors: Elizabeth D. Gomez, Eve F. Gamalinda, Archie A. Along, Leila A. Ombat, and Florence Jhun F. Almadin
Publication title: Journal of Ecosystems Sciences and Eco-Governance (JESEG) 3(1), 2021
Abstract:
This study documented the species of animals used by the Manobo Umayamnon tribe in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. The animal parts for medicinal purposes and the treatment process of the ethnomedicinal species were surveyed. The most commonly used animals were determined using Fidelity Level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) that indicated each species' local importance was also determined. A total of 100 respondents from six barangays were interviewed regarding the utilization of animals for medicinal purposes. Manobo Umayamnon listed a total of 11 species of medicinal animals that belong to 11 families. Python snake bile was the most commonly used animal organ, decoction was the most widely used preparation method, and drinking was the most frequent way of administering medicine. Based on RFC values, the family Pythonidae (Baksan) accounted for 94.59% of the animals. The findings provide a detailed inventory of valuable medicinal animals utilized by the Manobo Umayamnon tribe and serve as a physical record of their culture.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/53fk4txb
Article title: Geometric morphometrics of leaf blade shape in water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes: Pontederiaceae) population from Lake Mainit, Philippines
Authors: C.C. Cabuga, Jr, I.C.B. Delabahan, J.I.C. Dedel, M.A. Ayaton, L.A. Ombat, M.L.M. Budlayan
Publication title: Computational Ecology and Software 8(2):46-56, 2018
Abstract:
This study was carried out in order to investigate the leaf blade shape variation in the populations of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) from Lake Mainit, Philippines using geometric morphometric analysis. A total of 120 leaf individuals were randomly collected in the four Barangays (Bunga, San Pablo, Dinarawan and San Roque) of which each area consists of 30 samples. To identify morphological variations in the leaf blade shape of water hyacinth, digital imaging was prepared and the acquired images were loaded into tpsDig2 program. Using thin-plate spline (TPS) series, landmark analysis was completed and subjected to symmetry and asymmetry in geometric data (SAGE) software. Results in Procrustes ANOVA showed high significant differences (P<0.0001) in the two factors analyzed: the sides and the individuals by sides which denoting high fluctuating asymmetry. This could be inferred that asymmetric variability might be associated to the outcomes of fluctuating asymmetry that have been derived from genetic and non-genetic influences. Moreover, differences of leaf blade shape have been observed from the collected leaf samples and among the study areas. Thus, using geometric morphometric analysis enables to identify morphological variations within and among species of the same taxa.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/3ah725h7
Article title: Antibacterial and antifungal assays of the stem extracts of two Philippine lianas, Bauhinia integrifolia Roxb. and Strongylodon paucinervis Merr.
Authors: Leila A. Allado-Ombat and Franco G. Teves
Publication title: ELBA Bioflux 7(2), 2015
Abstract:
Bauhinia integrifolia Roxb. and Strongylodon paucinervis Merr. stem decoctions are used by Manobo tribe in Butuan City, Philippines to treat relapse. The fresh latex of S. paucinervis is applied to wounds and its decoction is also used to cure dysentery and diarrhea. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of the stem extracts of these liana species against selected test microorganisms. The aqueous and acetone extracts of the stems were prepared and applied to two Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus), two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) and two fungi (Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using disc diffusion method. Among the test organisms, only the Gram positive bacteria were sensitive to the extracts, with the diameter of zone of inhibition ranging from 10.08±0.30 mm to 20.67±0.88 mm. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the acetone extracts ranged from 6.25 to 50 mg mL-1, while the aqueous extracts ranged from 25 to 100 mg mL-1. These results suggest that the tribes can continue using these plants as ethnomedicine to prevent wound infection and treat diarrhrea, and new antibacterial agents can be discovered to control pathogenic bacteria under study.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/28nydac2
Article title: Species distribution and abundance of amphibians in two vegetation types of Agusan Marsh, Philippines
Authors: Rainer P. Sularte, Lilia Z. Boyles, Nilo H. Calomot, Meljan T. Demetillo, Leila A. Ombat, Me C. M. Ngilangil, Gee M. Binag
Publication title: AES Bioflux 7(1): 2015
Abstract:
Agusan Marsh is the 1009 th RAMSAR site, a wildlife sanctuary which harbour unique and pristine faunal species. It is considered one of the most ecologically significant wetland ecosystems in the Philippines. The study assessed species distribution and abundance using Geographic Information System Map in Agusan Marsh between Sago Palm and Terminalia Forest. Results showed a total of 322 individuals, 11 species and 6 families of amphibians documented. Of the 11 species of amphibians documented in Sago Palm and Terminalia Forest, 6 were Philippine endemics, 3 were invasive species in the area. Terminalia forest had the highest number of individuals documented during the conduct of the study. Sago Palm and Terminalia Forest have almost the same type of vegetation where amphibian species thrive most. Furthermore, ecological and environmental threats (conversion of Terminalia Forest to agricultural land, runoff of environmental pollutants, pesticides runoff and Kaingin or Slash and Burns) being identified in the two habitat types should be given urgent attention. This shows that Agusan Marsh particularly Sago Palm and Terminalia Forest still harbour unique features of endemic amphibian species despite of the ongoing anthropogenic activities in the said areas.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/5n7nmssz
Article title: Anti-angiogenic and non-cytotoxic potentials of aqueous and acetone extracts of the stem of Philippine Bauhinia integrifolia Roxb
Authors: Leila A. Allado-Ombat and Franco G. Teves
Publication title: International Journal of Biosciences 7(5):184-191, 2015
Abstract:
The decoction of Bauhinia integrifolia stem is recommended by Manobo tribe herbalists to treat relapse that are experienced by most mothers after child birth while some used it as abortifacient and birth control. To test its anti-angiogenic and cytotoxic potentials, the bioactive compounds in the stem of B. integrifolia were extracted using 70% acetone and water through decoction. The anti-angiogenic activity of the extracts was assessed using duck chorion-allatoic membrane. The result of the assay showed that both acetone and aqueous extracts exhibited dose dependent anti-angiogenic activity. As the extracts' concentration increased from 10 mg ml-1 to 1000 mg ml-1 , the formation of new blood vessels decreased. However, acetonic extracts showed significantly more lower blood vessel formation compared to the decoction. The evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the stem extracts employing brine shrimp lethality assay, showed that both extracts are non-cytotoxic since the acetonic extract has LC50 of 9,444 µg ml-1 and the nauplii survived in all concentrations of aqueous extract. With the above results, it is concluded that the extract of B. Integrifolia is non-cytotoxic anti-angiogenic agent. The isolation and further test of the active component possessed by this plant are recommended.
Full text link https://tinyurl.com/mr2uym6t