Chapter I

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Cancer dominates our entire living in modernization. It resulted to the

second most leading cause of death and caused major problems on public health

throughout the world.

In the United States of America, it is expected that 1,735,350 cancer

cases will be diagnose every year. In addition, it is also expected that 609,640

cancer patients will die every year which is equivalent to 1,700 deaths every day

(Siegel et al., 2018). Furthermore, World Health Organization [WHO] (2018),

cancer is responsible of one in every six deaths around the world. Thus, this will

cause for alarm that can make a great impact globally.

In the Philippines, 189 of every 100,000 Filipinos are beset with this

disease while for in every hour four Filipino died. In addition, the Philippines

created the highest rating pertaining to the frequency of having breast cancer.

Thus, it debilitates whole families with financial and emotional costs (Vernadero,

2018).

In 2017, the medicinal plant Paragis (Eleucine indica) went viral on social

media, because of the numerous benefits it offers. It is cited as one of the miracle

weed where many users testified for its efficacy. Up to this date, there are few

studies conducted to test the efficacy of Paragis (E. indica) specifically the anti-

angiogenic property.
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With this current situation, the researchers are interested to determine the

anti-angiogenic property of Paragis (E. indica) using the Chorioallantoic

Membrane (CAM) assays with the hope that Paragis (E. indica) can be a natural

alternative for anti-angiogenic medicines and for chemotherapy.

Statement of the Problem

This study determined the Anti-Angiogenic Property of Paragis (E. indica)

using the Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay.

Specifically, this study sought answers for the following questions:

1. Can the ethanolic extract of Paragis (E. indica) influence the

development of blood vessels in the Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM)

of mallard eggs?

2. Is there a significant difference in the number of blood vessels in

Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) of mallard embryos between

treatments?

Hypothesis of the Study

This study was guided by the hypothesis:

Ho: There is no significant difference in the number of blood vessels in

Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) of mallard embryos between treatments.

Scope and Limitation

This study focused on the anti-angiogenic property of Paragis (E. indica)

on Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) of mallard embryos. The Paragis (E. indica)

and mallard eggs was collected in Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok, South

 Anti-Angiogenic Property of Paragis (E. indica) 3

Cotabato. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Paragis (E. indica) was collected

using the rotary evaporator.

The 8-day old mallard eggs were incubated for 2 days in 37°C before the

application of the treatments. In the 12th day, the eggs were opened to determine

the number of blood vessels formed. This study used the filter paper disc for the

application of the treatment to the membrane of the mallard eggs. The reagents

and materials were acquired in NDDU Med-Tech-Pharma Laboratory

Significance of the Study

This study determined the anti-angiogenic property of Paragis (E. indica)

using the Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay with intention that it will help

the following:

To the researchers, the study may serve as their information to broaden

their knowledge about anti-angiogenic properties of the Paragis (E. indica).

To the cancer patients the study may provide a better understanding

about the anti-cancer properties of Paragis (E. indica) and may serve as a low-

cost, effective, and natural chemotherapy.

To the medical practitioners, the study may serve as their resources in the

conduct of further researches on the anti-angiogenic properties of Paragis (E.

indica) and expand their knowledge in finding cure to cancer.

To the school, the study may serve as their valuable information regarding

the anti-angiogenic properties of the Paragis (E. indica) and a springboard for

further researches of the students.

 Anti-Angiogenic Property of Paragis (E. indica) 4

To the community, it may serve as their basis to determine the benefits of

Paragis (E. indica) and to have a better knowledge and education about its other

medicinal properties.

To the future researchers, the study may serve as their guide and

additional information on the anti-angiogenic properties of Paragis (E. indica) and

other plants available the in the community for the success of their researches.

Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined conceptually and operationally for better

understanding of the study.

Angiogenesis. It is the process of the formation of new blood vessels

(Compton, 2018). It is the formation of new blood vessels in the Chorioallantoic

Membrane (CAM) in mallard eggs.

Blood Vessels. It is a small tube that carries blood to different parts of a

person or animal’s body (Merriam-Webster, 2018). It is the small tube that was

manually counted in the Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay to determine

the anti-angiogenic property of the treatment applied.

Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay. It is an in-vivo model to study the

effect on newly identified molecules on ovarian cancer invasion and metastasis

(Lokman et. al., 2012). It is found in the mallard eggs and the location where the

treatments will be applied.

Mallard. It is a widely distributed wild duck (Anas platyrhychos) of the

northern hemisphere the males of which have a green head and white-ringed

neck and which is the source of the domestic ducks (Merriam-Webster, 2018). It
 Anti-Angiogenic Property of Paragis (E. indica) 5

is subject of the study where its eggs will be used for the application of

treatments.

Paragis (E. indica). It is commonly known as goose grass which is native

in the tropical and subtropical regions (Al-Zubairi et. al., 2009). It is the plant used

in the study to determine if it has an anti-angiogenic property.

Simvastatin. It belongs to statins group which is known as an agent for

lipid-lowering and an anti-angiogenic inhibitor with a molecular formula of

C25H38O5 (PubChem, 2018). It is the positive control of the study and expected to

have an inhibition activity influencing the formation of blood vessels in CAM

assay.