Department of Science and Technology

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Eastern Visayas Campus
Pawing, Palo, Leyte










VULNERARY ACTIVITY OF MAKAHIYA (Mimosa pudica L.) LEAF METHANOL EXTRACT






In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

in Research I













Submitted by:

Kent Harry P. Cumpio
III-Rubidium


August 6, 2010

INTRODUCTION

Makahiya (Mimosa pudica L.) are diffusely spreading, half-woody herb, with branched
stems up to 1 meter long, sparingly prickly with numerous deflexed, bristly hairs. The leaves are
very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets, folding when touched. Mimosa pudica is common in
rather moist waste ground, in lawns, in open plantations, and weedy thicklets. It forms a dense
ground cover, preventing reproduction of other species. It can be seen in almost every part of
the Philippines.
Herbal remedies have been used for decades and centuries. Before the discovery and
availability of modern synthetic drugs, humans were completely dependent on medicinal herbs
for prevention and treatment of diseases. In the history of ancient civilizations, the use of
medicinal herbs for curing diseases has been documented. The drugs were used in crude forms
like decoction, infusion, tincture and poultice. Makahiya is a known herbal remedy for several
diseases. Studies in India have shown that the methanolic extract of the root of makahiya
exhibited good wound healing activity. This effect was attributed to the phenol constituents of
the makahiya root. Phenols are a class of chemical compounds which were first used as
antiseptics.
Lately, scientists in India identified a new phenolic ketone from the leaves of Makahiya.
Because, phenols make the roots vulnerary, this study will test if leaves are vulnerary since it
contains phenols as well. Its efficiency will be tested in vivo, specifically, on mice with
experimental incisions. It will be injected to the inferior vena cava. No studies have been
conducted yet regarding the use of makahiya leaves as a wound healer.

MAIN PROBLEM:
What is the effect of the methanol extract of makahiya leaves on experimentally incised
mice?
SUB-PROBLEMS
1) What is the rate of recovery of mice treated with makahiya methanol extract?
2) At what concentrations when injected to the inferior vena cava of mice will the extract
have the smallest wound perimeter/area?
a. 100% methanol extract
b. 75% methanol extract
c. 50% methanol extract
3) Which setup will have the fastest recovery in mice: Makahiya Methanol Extract Induced
Mice or the control setup (non-induced mice)?
BRIEF LITERATURE SURVEY
MAKAHIYA
Makahiya is a common weed widely distributed in the Philippines, in open moist areas,
open grasslands and open thickets. Makahiya plant parts have many significant benefits. To
name a few, these are: antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antimalarial, anti-
depressant. The seeds, leaves, roots and flowers are of great use. Its leaves are used as
expectorant, healing bruises, antidiabetic, and anti-glandular swellings. A phytochemical
analysis of makahiya leaf extract has identified several components of makahiya: alkaloids,

flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and Triterpenes. The extract has shown strong antimicrobial
activity against, Aspergillus fumigatus, Citrobacter divergens and Klebsiella pneumonia,
Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. The roots of this plant have already been proven to
have wound healing activities in an experiment done by Indian scientists on mice. This property
has been attributed to the phenols in root extracts of makahiya.
PHENOLS
Phenol is a colorless or white solid when it is pure; however, it is usually sold and used
as a liquid. The odor threshold for phenol is 0.04 parts per million (ppm), with a strong very
sweet odor reported. The chemical formula for phenol is C6H6O and the
molecular weight is 94.1 g/mol. The vapor pressure for phenol is 0.3513 mm Hg
at 25 C, and it has a log octanol/water partition coefficient (log K
ow
) of 1.46.
Phenols are used as slimicide, as a disinfectant, and in medicinal products such as
ear and nose drops, throat lozenges, and mouthwashes. Phenol has been in
production since the 1860s. One of the early uses for phenol was as an antiseptic. Towards the
end of the 19th century, industrial scientists found new uses for phenol in the synthesis of dyes,
aspirin, and one of the first high explosives, picric acid. As early as 1872, it was found that
phenol could be condensed with aldehydes (for example methanal) to make resinous
compounds, a process still in use today.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
The researcher chose Mimosa pudica Linn as the subject of study since this weed can be
found in many parts of the locality. The success of this study will provide a cheap source of

wound treatments. This will ease the burden of having to buy medicines in downtown areas
because treatments are already available at the backyard. This will be of great advantage to
people in rural areas, far from the reaches of hospitals, and pharmacies. Pharmaceutical
companies will have an idea of what parts of the makahiya to use in making their medicines.
FEASIBILITY OF THE STUDY:
The variables found in this study are cheap and can be found in the locality. Makahiya
can be found near the researchers residence while mice can be bought in pet shops.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:
This study is limited only to the recovery rate of mice induced with makahiya methanol.
Its effects on the behavior of the mice will not be discussed. Side effects upon induction of the
methanol extract will not be explicated. The extract will be injected to the inferior vena cava of
the mice.










REFERENCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenols
http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/phenol.html
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123523063/abstract
http://www.stuartxchange.org/Makahiya.html
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4W6XVY1-
5&_user=10&_coverDate=07/15/2009&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&vie
w=c&_searchStrId=1418376534&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0
&_userid=10&md5=0c7c8e1a84a44f48d2feefa1a3af5eb7\
http://www.greener-industry.org.uk/pages/phenol/2PhenolUses.htm
http://www.ethnoleaflets.com/leaflets/mimosa.htm