CYTOTOXICITY PROPERTY, ANGIOGENIC AND ANTI-OXIDANT SCREENING OF

CHAMBER BITTER (PHYLLANTHUS URINARIA)

Proponents:

Zita Dewi Nirvana L. Messakaraeng

Dannah Victoria M. Itchon

Taziana Gail C. Regis

X- Mariners

Saint Marys University Junior High School and Science High School

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

 INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Since the iatrochemistry of the 16th century, people have used herbal techniques to cure

injuries and illnesses, before the production of antibiotics, analgesics and others. Filipinos,

especially the natives, have practiced this way of life, utilizing the flora around them.

Chamber bitter or commonly called leaf flower (P. urinaria) is said to possess medicinal

properties (Ridley, 1897, 1906; Burkill and Haniff, 1930). It is a weed, belonging to the genus

Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae), is endemic to Asian countries such as the Philippines, China,

Indonesia, India and others.

Chamber bitter has affected several crops such as rice, potato, and coconut, various fruits

and vegetables and some form of economic loss and quality is inflicted and has been associated

with the plant.

In the Philippines, it is also noted in exposed or sometimes shaded areas, preferably on

moist, fertile soils, on cultivated fields, grasslands and also on roadsides and waste ground

(Ridley, 1924; Burkill, 1935; Masayu, 1995; Pancho and Obien, 1995).

It is a plant with opportunistic traits, because of its adaptability to a range of ecological

habitats such as shallow and infertile soil and was proved to be an invasive species outside of its

native range. It has also been declared as an obnoxious in Alabama, USA .

Although, it is a known pest to farmers, it is new to people albeit the plant grows

anywhere along road sides or shady areas.

 In the Philippines, 50 g of P. urinaria, soaked in an aqueous solution, is said to cure

hepatitis and kidney infection. (Poncho and Obien, 1995).

The proponents decided to assess the medicinal properties of P. urinaria through

cytotoxicity property, anti-angiogenesis and anti-oxidant screening, providing information that

indicates weeds have also its advantages.

Statement of the Problem

This study sought to answer the following:

1. Is P. urinaria toxic or not?

2. Is the P. urinaria extract, pro- angiogenic or anti-angiogenic?

3. Does P. urinaria have anti-oxidants?

Significance of the Study

Scope and Delimitations

The main focus of this study is to determine whether the chamber bitter extract is toxic or

not, is it pro-angiogenic or anti-angiogenic and does the extract have anti-oxidants. The intention

of this project is to only determine its potential medicinal properties.

Definition of Terms
REFERENCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20979698

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/study-revealed-comprehensive-perspective-possible-

mechanism-behind-anti-cancer

https://www.prota4u.org/database/protav8.asp?g=pe&p=Phyllanthus+urinaria+L.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358962/