Title:

A STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF Gliricidia sepium (madre de cacao) DECOCTION

ON THE TREATMENT OF SCABIES AMONG SELECTED RESIDENTS

I. Introduction:

Gliricidia sepium is a medium-sized leguminous tree which occurs in abundance
throughout its native range in Mesoamerica. Domestication of gliricidia has been in
progress for several millennia and the multitude of indigenous common names from
Mayan and Quiche peoples (Pertchik and Pertchik 1951) reveals the importance of this
species to early occupants of the region. Spanish colonists adapted the local vernacular
in naming the species 'madre de cacao' (mother of cocoa) to describe its use as a
cocoa shade tree. The toxic properties of the seeds and bark of G. sepium give rise to
the generic epithet of this species (Gliricidia = mouse killer) as well as a number of
common names (e.g. mata-raton). Present day uses of this species throughout the
native range (e.g. firewood, living fences, shade, construction and as an ornamental)
are likely extensions of early utilisation and popularity (Rico-Gray et al. 1991).
Gliricidia sepium has also been used extensively outside its native range in places
which include the Caribbean, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka and West Africa. These
landrace populations are largely remnants of colonial introductions used to shade
plantation crops although more recently they have been integrated into indigenous
farming practices being used for fuelwood, living fences, animal forage, green manure
and soil stabilisation.
After Leucaena leucocephala, G. sepium is believed to be the most widely cultivated
multipurpose tree. In many cases, gliricidia will yield as much as or more biomass
than L. leucocephala (Stewart et al. 1992). One of the reasons for its recent popularity is
its complete resistance to the defoliating psyllid (Heteropsylla cubana) which has
devastated L. leucocephala in many parts of the tropics. This section describes the
taxonomy, ecology, distribution and general uses of G. sepium, as a prelude to
discussion of its use as a forage species.


II. Background of the Study



Scabies is one of the most important prevalent contagious diseases caused by the
human itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is the most common cause of itching dermatoses
in the world infecting 300 million persons per year. The exact figures for the incidence
of scabies infection in the Philippines are not known. However, data on annual
incidence of scabies seen in one health
institution in Manila showed a rate of 45 per 1000 patients. Toxins secreted by the
mites are responsible for the development of vesiculopapular lesions with pruritus.
Initial predilection sites occur around finger webs, wrists or elbows, and anterior axillary
folds. In untreated individuals, other parts of the body are involved. Based on study, the
first evidence of parasitization consists of a small erythematous eruption or "watery
blister" (Salazar et.al., 1995). Susceptibility to scabies is universal. Since the principal
mode of transmission is direct transfer of ectoparasites through personal contact, the
disease is particularly rampant in
overcrowded places without adequate sanitation. Children younger than 15 years have
the highest prevalence of scabies. Other at-risk populations include persons who are
sexually active, debilitated, or immunocompromised. Currently, there are numerous
medical treatments available for scabies. Most of these are quite effective but
expensive. Hence, the cost of these medications is unaffordable particularly for the
segment of the population most commonly affected by this disease that belongs to the
lower socio-economic bracket. The high cost of the medications results in inadequate
treatment hence chronic infestations or reinfections. Permethrin cream 5% (Elimite) is
the current drug of choice, especially for infants more than 2 months and small
children. Other standard treatment for scabies is topical application of 1% gamma
benzenehexachloride, crotamiton, 5%
tetraethylthiuram monosulfide, benzyl benzoate, and sulfur. Some of these are
potentially toxic chemicals. There are some concerns about systemic toxicity. In fact,
there are several herbal products that are being advocated by the DOH as effective
measures for some common diseases seen in the community. Gliricidia sepium, locally
known as kakawati, or madre de cacao in Titay, is a tropical plant that has been
used for the past years to effectively treat several diseases like dermatophytic
infections and gonorrhea. It is known as madre de cacao or kakawate in Titay.
Accordingly, they used this madre de cacao as treatment for common skin diseases like
scabies and skin diseases in animals like pigs. Its decoction is used to relieve cough. Its
extract is
used to treat wound and toothache. Its leaves is used for insect repellant, botanical
pesticides and fertilizers, as pain reliever from backache, sprains and fractures and
even for STDs like gonorrhea. In the Out Patient Department (OPD) setting of Rural
Health Unit (RHU) in Titay, two (2) patients per day that seek consult is clinically
diagnosed of scabies. As surveyed by the researcher, this scabies is known as ngisi-
ngisi, kurikong or kagid in Titay. It is known as ngisi-ngisi because children tend to
have facial grimace mistaken for a smile due to the itchiness of the scabies during
scratching. In Titay, scabies is treated by using the decoction of madre de cacao
preparation to wash part of the body that is infested with scabies. Furthermore, this has
been used in the community and has been shown to result in clinical resolution of the
disease after 6 to 7 days of treatment. In this light, Gliricidia sepium offers a promising
treatment option as being used by the local residents of Titay. With the information
above, the researcher then aims to study on the efficacy of madre de cacao decoction
on the treatment of scabies among residents of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay



Thesis statement

I. Taxonomy
A.Botanical description
B.Systematics

II.Distribution
A. Native range
B.Exotic distribution

III.Uses
A.Fuelwood
B.Living fences
C.Green manure
D.Shade

IV.Use of Gliricidia as a Forage
A.Leaf biomass production
B.Nutritive value, anti-nutritional factors and palatability
C.Use of gliricidia as a feed











III.Conclusions and recommendation
1. Based on the clinical diagnosis of scabies in this study, the application madre de
cacao decoction reveals that there is a significant difference between the pre-treatment
and the post-treatment scores after 1 week with p value of 0.000. However, the
increase on the number of scabies lesion after two (2) weeks and four (4) weeks is also
significant with p value of 0.000
2. The decrease of scabies lesion after one (1) week reveals that this decoction has an
anti-inflammatory property.

3. The typical family of the respondents with scabies has certain characteristics that
may contribute greatly to the spread of mites. These include increased number of
household members, presence of other family members with scabies, overcrowding,
poverty and low educational attainment
4. Children (1-12yo) have the highest incidence of scabies as compared to the other
age group.
5. There is a slight preponderance of scabies among males.
6. Scabies are more prominent in skin folds. The top five sites of predilection of scabies
lesions in decreasing order is abdominal area, right hand, right thigh, left hand, and
buttocks.
7. The home-made madre de cacao decocttion can be used by the community to aid
skin diseases like scabies.
8. No adverse reactions were noted upon the application of the decoction, thus it is safe
to use the decoction in treating scabies lesion.

9. The researcher recommends an information campaign among the health workers to
disseminate the use of madre de cacao in treating scabies lesion.

10.Skin scraping or other better diagnostic method of confirming disease
presence/absence is also recommended in order to provide an objective means of
diagnosis
11. Future studies involving a larger number of subjects, ideally approximating or even
exceeding the sample size computed, should be done to show its potential in scabies.

12. A study on duration of the application of the decoction maybe done to know until on
what days or weeks should your decoction should be applied to ensure complete
cessation of the scabies lesion.

13. A phytochemical analysis may be done on the decoction to document the anti-
inflammatory property of the compound.

14. For future plans, a controlled drug can be used in this study like the study of
Fernandez M.D. (2006) and it is recommended that you can make madre de cacao
lotion and comparing it the standard lotion in treating scabies lesion













Read the paragraph to help you complete the question.
1.
Down in the Dumps
Courtney was sad. She had lost her favorite bracelet. Her best friend was going away for the entire
summer. She had just found out she was going to summer school. As a result, Courtney felt down in the
dumps.
Down in the dumps means _________________.
sad
bringing the garbage to the end of the driveway
excited

2.
White Lie
Jodi's grandmother spent months knitting a sweater for Jodi. When Jodi took a look at it, she really
disliked the colors. She couldn't tell her grandmother that, so she told a little white lie instead.
White lie means _____________.

huge, made-up story
truth
lie that is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings

3.
Cut Corners
The school play was getting too expensive. The team planning it had gone all out but they didn't have
enough money to pay for it all. The principal came in to speak with the group. "You have some great
ideas here. Now let's see where we can cut corners to make this play a success. We may have to change
the scenery and the playbook to save some money; otherwise the play can't go on."
Cut corners means ___________.
cut the edges of the play's program
clip some coupons
use money wisely and try to save by spending only what is necessary

B. 1.
Scratch the Surface
Priscilla wants to become a doctor. She finished her first year of college, had studied hard, and had
learned a lot. However, she knows she has barely scratched the surface. She knows she will have to
study a lot more for many more years before she can actually practice medicine.
What does the idiom scratch the surface mean?

2.
Salt of the Earth
Peter is salt of the earth. He always does the kind thing and helps those in need.
What does the idiom salt of the earth mean?

3.
Bring Home the Bacon
John was so excited. He just got an incredible offer. Now he could really bring home the bacon.
What does the idiom bring home the bacon mean?

4.
Cry over Spilled Milk
"I'm sorry you lost your toy car at the park, but don't cry over spilled milk."
What does the idiom cry over spilled milk mean?
THE EMPEROR'S NEW SONNET
by Jose Garcia Villa
. . . . .
Looking for the poem?

Obviously, "The Emperor's New Sonnet" is inspired by the famous children's story, "The Emperor's New
Clothes" written by Hans Christian Andersen. Does the title ring a bell? If you have forgotten the said story,
I'll refresh your mind.

"The Emperor's New Clothes" is about an emperor who has a passion to wear the most beautiful clothes. He
is willing to waste the kingdom's wealth just to possess them. Because of this weakness, he becomes a target
victim for the two fraud tailors who promised to weave clothes with wonderful quality that only intellectual
people could see. The emperor gets interested, and he becomes their customer--or should I say, their victim!

The impostors demand for the finest silk and lots of gold, and they pretend to use it in weaving the special
clothes for many days. And every time the emperor sends one of his men to their work place to judge the
quality of the unfinished stuff, no one could see any single piece of clothingbecause there is really
NOTHING. But because of fear to be called stupid and unfit to their respective offices, each of the emperor's
men pretends that they could see the clothes.

To make it short, the emperor himself--when the "invisible" clothes are presented to him--also pretends that
he could see it. And when he "wears" it in front of the people during a procession, no one dares to speak out
the truth, until a child cried out, "He has nothing on!"

Funny, but full of lessons.

Back to "The Emperor's New Sonnet." At first, I thought it is the briefest and the funniest poem I've ever
encountered. But in reality, it can't be considered as poetry, at all. Strange. Yet it has become among Jose
Garcia Villa's popular poems.

Jose Garcia Villa was a writer, a literary critic, and a painter. For him, poetry "is written with words, not
ideas." So why did he present this "invisible poem?" Was it to mock or to challenge the readers?

In the first place, why was the author chose the word sonnet instead of the generic term poem or
poetry? That was the clue. He categorized it as a sonnet; therefore he wanted people to find the sonnet in
it. Sonnet is a kind of poetry consists of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter patternbut there are no lines
present here to count. No stressed/unstressed words.

Now, by applying the lesson in "The Emperor's New Clothes," where people already could see the truth but
still choose to be deceived because of fear, perhaps the hidden message behind The Emperors New Sonnet
is to test our sense of judgment. To be true to ourselves despite what the most say. I guess Villa just wanted
to show the importance of words in the poetry, so he experimented to create one (that isnt really one) without
words other than the title to prove that emptiness of words will result to vagueness. Poetry is a form of art,
and for him, art is for arts sake.

Intellects would dig deeper into its blankness, searching and deciphering the hidden message behind it. But in
the end, the shallow truth remains to be the real one.