Department of Education

Division of Sarangani
Alabel National Science High School
Regional Science High School for Region XII
Alabel

SAMBONG (Blumea bulsamifera) EXTRACT AS HEALTH REMEDY FOR

LOWERING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS

A Research Proposal Presented To

The Faculty of Alabel National Science High School
Regional Science High School for Region XII
Alabel, Sarangani Province

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Subject
Research VIII

Submitted by:
QUIRICO HENRI Z. HECHANOVA
SHERRIE ALEXXA P. MAHILUM
NOLAN AJMAN C. BENDULO
ZERI E. LABADIA
8 - Dendrobium

Submitted to:
RALLIE ANN D. TABORETE
Research Adviser

March 2019
 Department of Education
Division of Sarangani
Alabel National Science High School
Regional Science High School for Region XII
Alabel

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

Approved by the Panel of Examiners with a grade of ______________________.

Name: QUIRICO HENRI HECHANOVA, SHERRIE ALEXXA MAHILUM,

NOLAN AJMAN BENDULO, and ZERI LABADIA

Applied Research Title:

SAMBONG (Blumea balsamifera) EXTRACT AS HEALTH

REMEDY FOR LOWERING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS

CHRISTINE MAE LUMAWAG

Panelist

AL HANNECCA PULALON MARIANNE ANIMAS

Panelist Panelist

RALLIE ANN D. TABORETE

Adviser

Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course
Research VIII.

Date of Oral Defense: March 20, 2019

MAXIMO R. CABANLIT
Principal I
 Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Nowadays, there is a rise on the levels of non-communicable diseases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases

kill approximately 40 million people globally each year, accounting for 70% of all

deaths. Non-communicable diseases display various physiological activities,

such as anti-tumor, anti-fungal, radical-scavenging, and anti-obesity properties,

which include ailments such as high blood pressure, rheumatism and diabetes.

Since diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines nowadays,

there is an immediate need of treatments for this illness. In this day of age,

herbal medicines are widely consumed and their sales have been significantly

rising all over the world. According to the reports of the World Health

Organization (WHO), to treat diseases over 80% of the populations in developing

countries mainly rely on herbs, which are considered to be safer and more

effective than synthetic drugs.

Blumea balsamifera also known as sambong, has been used as medicine

for thousands of years in Southeast Asian countries, such as China, Malaysia,

Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines. Sambong is the most important member of

the genus Blumea and is an indigenous herb of tropical and subtropical Asia,

especially in China. In China, it is generally a common used herb in areas south

of the Yangtze River, such as Hainan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangdong provinces

and Taiwan. Sambong is commonly called “Ainaxiang” and “Dafeng’ai” and used

as incense because of its high level of essential oils. It was originally recorded in

“Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang” in 652 by Sun Simiao. The whole plant were used as

a crude Chinese traditional medicinal material to treat eczema, dermatitis,

beriberi, lumbago, menorrhagia, rheumatism, skin injury, and as an insecticide.

Before 2010, sambong was one of the most important plant sources Bing Pian,

but since the 2010, the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China

records sambong as the only plant source for Aipian.

Objectives of the Study

This study aims to:

1. Test the efficacy of sambong (Blumea balsamifera) extract as a health

remedy for lowering blood sugar;

2. Produce a health remedy for lowering blood sugar from an herbal plant;

3. Produce medicine that is cheap and effective; and

4. Compare health remedy from commercial antibiotic

Hypothesis of the Study

a. Alternative Hypothesis

Sambong (Blumea bulsamifera) can be used as a health remedy for

lowering blood glucose levels.

b. Null Hypothesis

Sambong (Blumea bulsamifera) cannot be used as a health remedy

for lowering blood glucose levels.

Significance of the Study

This study is important for the people, especially diabetic patients, for

them to buy a health remedy that is effective and affordable, for the doctors, for

them to prescribe medicine that is cheap but effective, for pharmaceutical

companies, for them to reproduce a drug that is effective and can let them gain

sales, and for fellow researchers, for them to use this as an inspiration, to create

medicine for other ailments using herbs or plants abundant to their place.

Scope and Limitations

This study will be focusing on the creation of a health remedy from

sambong leaves. The formulation will be tested on white mice. The study will be

conducted in the Alabel National Science High School Chemistry Laboratory.

Definition of Terms

Non-communicable Diseases a medical condition that is not caused

by infectious agents
L-borneol a bicyclic organic compound and a

terpene derivative

Flavonoids any of a class of non-nitrogenous

biological pigments (biochromes) that

includes the anthocyanins and the

anthoxanthins.

Terpenoids any of a class of hydrocarbons occurring

widely in plants and animals and

empirically regarded as built up from

isoprene, a hydrocarbon consisting of

five carbon atoms attached to eight

hydrogen atoms.

Diabetes a chronic disease that occurs when the

pancreas is no longer be able to

produce insulin.

Health Remedy something that cures or relieves a

disease or bodily disorder; a healing

medicine, treatment, or application.

Blood Glucose the amount of glucose present in the

blood of humans and other animals

Glucometer an instrument for measuring the

concentration of glucose in the blood

 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Sambong

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) is a shrub that can grow

approximately one to four meters tall. Sambong usually grows in tropical

countries, like the Philippines. In some countries just like Philippines and

China, Sambong is price because of its health benefits.

Not like any other herbal plant, Sambong can relieve arthritis, colds,

cough, fever, and many more. In the Philippines, Sambong is known to cure

or relieve premenstrual syndrome by boiling it, then drinking it. While in

China, Sambong is mainly used as a herbal tea. Nowadays, there are

innovations of Sambong as capsules and syrup for medicine.

Importance of Sambong

Sambong is a medicinal plant. Sambong is known to work as a

diuretic. It induces urination and helps flush out sodium and excess fluid

from the body through the urine, thus adding that this herb helps prevent

fluid retention.

The plant Sambong is an antiurolithiatic and is used to aid the

treatment of kidney disorders. Sambong leaves can also be used to treat

colds and mild hypertension. Sambong is found in the tropical and

subtropical zones of Asia.

Laboratory Mice

A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the Order Rodentia. The

best known mouse species is the common house mouse (Mus musculus). It

is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are locally

common. They are known to invade homes for food and shelter.

Mice are also common experimental animals in laboratory research

of biology and psychology fields primarily because they are mammal, and

also they share about 95 percent of their genes with humans. They are

recognized around the world as the leading experimental model for studying

human biology and disease. (Jackson, 2011)

Blood Glucose

Blood glucose refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood of

humans or animals. It is measured using a glucometer. The international

standard way of measuring blood glucose levels is in terms of molar

concentration, measured in mM (millimoles per liter).

Mean normal blood glucose levels in humans are about 90mg/dl,

equivalent to 5mM. The total amount of glucose normally in circulating

human blood is about 3.3 to 7g. Glucose levels are usually lowest in the

morning, before the first meal of the day, and rise after meals for an hour or

two by a few millimoles. Blood sugar levels outside the normal range may

be an indicator of a medical condition. A persistently high level is referred to

as hyperglycemia; low levels are referred to as hypoglycemia.

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group

of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar levels over a

prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination,

increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause

many complications. Acute complications can include diabetic ketoacidosis,

hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or death. Serious long-term

complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney

disease, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes.

Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin,

or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced.

There are three main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 which results from

the pancreas’ failure to produce enough insulin, Type 2 which begins with

insulin resistance, and Gestational Diabetes, which occurs when pregnant

women with no medical history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels.

Related Studies

In the study “The effect of varying concentrations of Sambong leaves

(Blumea balsamifera) Decoction on wound healing” of Prakash, Y. et. al.

(2016), Blumea balsamifera is widely used for a long period of time, not only

in the Philippines but also to other neighboring countries. It is known as an

ancient medicinal herb that can cure ailments and different diseases due to

its rich constituents of essential oils. The descriptive method was to find
active constituents of Sambong through phytochemical screening. Whereas,

experimental method was to determine the characteristics of experimental

mice for the treatment of their wounds using Sambong decoction. The effect

of Sambong leaves decoction and betadine in the number of days, redness,

and swelling of wound healing in mice was found to work.

This study “The mosquito repellent effect of Blumea balsamifera”

aimed to determine the repellent effect of Blumea balsamifera leaves on

mosquitoes. This study presents the difference of commercially – available

mosquito coil and mosquito coil made out of Sambong leaves. The

mosquito coils were based on two criteria: the mosquito repellent property

and the time elapsed before the mosquito repellent effects were observed.

The study revealed that regarding the mosquito repellent effect there was

no significant difference, but on the time of effectivity of the mosquito coil, it

was noted that the mosquito made out of Sambong leaves was significantly

faster than the commercially – available mosquito coil (Pilongo, J., 2008).

This study “Effect of Blumea balsamifera extract on the phase and

morphology of calcium oxalate crystals.” aimed to identify various methods

in treating kidney stones, includes herbal treatment in the Philippines such

as using herbs like Blumea balsamifera. The extract of Blumea balsamifera

on the morphology of calcium oxalate crystals was examined through light

microscopy, image analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron

microscopy. Through analysis of the projected area of the crystals, the

extract was found to shift the phase of the crystals from COM to calcium

oxalate dihydrate (COD). This shift in phase is significant with a COM to

COD shift of 88.26% at 0.5 mg/mL of extract and 91.53% at 1.0 mg/mL of

extract. Scanning election microscopic (SEM) images revealed aggregation

of crystals at 0 mg/mL of extract. At 1.0 mg/mL of extract, the scanning

electron micrographs showed discernible crystal unit boundaries. In

conclusion, the extract of B. balsamifera was observed to have decreased

crystal size, shifted crystal phase from COM to COD and prevented the

aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals (Montealegre, C. et al, 2017).

 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Flowchart of Procedures
Preparation of
Materials

Extraction of
Sambong

Cage
Making

Increasing of Blood
Glucose Levels

Admission of
Treatments

Determination of
Blood Glucose Levels

Disposal of
Experimental Mice

Statistical
Analysis

Figure No. 1 Flowchart of Procedures

Materials

The materials that will be used in the study are the following: 25

white mice, 10kg Sambong plant, Glibenclamide, 4 250mL beakers, 4

stirring rods, 4 syringes, 36 test strips, 12 lancets, 1 glucometer, disposable

gloves, 3000mL distilled water, weighing scale, laboratory gowns, paper,

butter, 4kg sugar, 8 loaves of bread, knife, chopping board, cheese cloth,

and 4 dilution bottles.

Collection of Sambong Plant

The researchers will collect the Sambong plant from Alabel,

Sarangani Province. The Sambong plants will be picked freshly. After the

gathering of the plants, they will be washed to remove mud and dust.

Study Site and Duration of the Study

The preparation of the materials used will be done at the Alabel

National Science High School Chemistry Laboratory including the

conditioning of the white mice, the extraction of sambong, the administration

of treatments and the gathering of data. This study will be conducted on

March 2019.

Experimental Design of the Study

The three main experiments of the study will be the testing of the

efficacy of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) Plant Extract in lowering blood

glucose levels and to compare the effectiveness of Sambong (Blumea

balsamifera) Plant Extract with the control (commercial antibiotic) in

lowering blood glucose levels. The efficacy of the sambong plant extract in

lowering blood glucose levels will be determined through four treatments

including the control during the experiment. The test organism that will be

used in identifying which treatment is most effective will be the white mice.

There will be three replications per treatment used. The white mice will

undergo intensive increase of blood glucose level for one week. The

researchers will test the initial blood glucose level of each mouse. Then, the

researchers will administer the treatments. After one week, the final blood

sugar levels will be tested.

Extraction of the Sambong Plant

The sambong plant will be cut into small pieces and then washed.

500 mg of sambong leaves will be placed inside a blender with 500 mL

water. The sambong leaves will be blended until finely blended. After

blending, the researchers will use a cheese cloth in extracting the solution.

Three dilution bottles will be labeled 50% sambong, 75% sambong and 100%

sambong and then, the extracted sambong will be poured in the dilution

bottles with their corresponding amount.

Cage Making

The researchers will use 1 meter of a 2 by 2 cm screen wire. It will be

made into a cage with 12 chambers. Each chamber will be labeled with

corresponding treatments and replications.

Increasing of Blood Glucose Levels of White Mice

The researchers will use butter and rice to feed the white mice in

order for them to be in the state of hyperglycemia. After seven days of

increasing the white mice’s glucose levels, the researchers will test their

initial blood sugar level.

Administration of Treatments

The white mice will be first weighed. The amount of treatment (in mL)

will be based on the white mice’s weight. The researchers will use this

formula:

mass of white mice (20mL)

x=
1000g

After the researchers identify the corresponding amounts of the

treatments, the treatments will be administered orally. The administration of

treatments will last for seven days and after that, the researchers will test

the blood glucose level of the white mice.

Determination of Blood Glucose Level

The researchers will prick the white mice’s tail with a lancet. When

the researchers gain 5mL of blood, they will use a glucometer in reading the

blood glucose level (in mg/dL).

Disposal of Experimental Mice

The researchers will place the mice into a clean chamber that is not

pre-charged with CO2 . The flow of CO2 will be allowed to increase into the

sealed chamber to minimize distress. The mice will be left in the chamber

for 4-5 minutes until respiration ceased. The chamber will be left open to air

out the residual amount of CO2 in the chamber. The chamber will then be

cleaned with disinfectant to remove all urine, feces, and fur. To ensure

death, the researchers will apply cervical dislocation by placing the

dislocation instrument (a bar) above the base of the skull and it will be held

firmly in place. The base of the tail will be grasped with the thumb and

forefingers and with a quick motion it will be pulled away and slightly

upward from the skull, causing the separation of the spinal cord from the

brain.

Statistical Analysis

After the computation of the mean blood glucose level, the numbers

will then be grouped according to treatment group. ANOVA will be used to

determine if there are any significant differences in the blood sugar levels

among the treatments.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bantol, J. et. al. (2017). In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Assays on

Hexane Extract of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) Leaves.
Retrieved From:
https://doi.org/10.17758/URUAE.AE09172018 (Sept. 17,
2018)

Chu, S.S. et. al. (2013). Fumigant Compounds from the Essential
Oil of Chinese Blumea balsamifera Leaves against the Maize
Wheel. Retrieved From: https://hindawi.com (Sept. 17, 2018)

Dao, V.Q. et. al. (2017). Inhibitor effect of Flavonoid from Blumea
balsamifera (L.) DC. Leaves Extract on Melanin Synthesis in
cultured B16 Cell line and Zebrafish. Retrieved From:
www.id.publications.org (Sept. 20, 2018)

Gelano, S. (2014). Therapeutic benefits of Sambong plant.

Retrieved From: https://news.abs-cbn.com (Sept. 19, 2018)

Liu, L. et. al. (2016). Morphological Development of Sambong

(Blumea balsamifera) (L.) (DC.) Leaf Studied by Frozen
Section and Thin Section. Retrieved From:
https://www.scirp.org/journal/jbm (Sept. 19, 2018)

Montealegre, C. et. al. (2016). Blumea balsamifera (Sambong) Tea

as Therapeutic Drink for Calcium Oxalate Stones. Retrieved
From: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (Sept. 18,
2018)

Montealegre, C. et. al. (2017). Effect of Blumea balsamifera

Extraction the Kinetics Calcium Oxalate Crystallization.
Retrieved From: www.aidic.it/cet (Sept. 18, 2018)
Pang, Y. et. al. (2014). Blumea balsamifera – A Phytochemical and
Pharmacological Review. Retrieved From:
www.mdpi/journal/molecules (Sept. 20, 2018)

Pang, Y. et. al. (2014). External Application of the Volatile Oil from
Blumea balsamifera may be safer for Liver – A study on its
Chemical Composition and Hepatotoxicity. Retrieved From:
www.mdpi/journal/molecules (Sept. 18, 2018)

Philippine Star (2017). Sambong for Treatment of Kidney Stone.

Retrieved From:
www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/library-health-
news/1343-sambong-for-treatment-of-kidney-stone (Sept.
21, 2018)

Pilongo, J. (2008). A study on the mosquito repellent effect of

Blumea balsamifera (Sambong). Retrieved From:
www.herbs.ph (Sept. 19, 2018)

Prakash, S. et. al. (2016). The Effect of Varying Concentrations of

Sambong Leaves (Blumea balsamifera) Decoction on
Wound Healing. Retrieved From: www.wjpps.com (Sept. 17,
2018)

Rico, F. (2007). Sambong (Blumea balsamifera). Its effect on

calcium stone. Retrieved From: www.herdin.ph (Sept. 21,
2018)

Shirota, O. et. al. (2011). Sesquiterpenes from Blumea balsamifera.

Retrieved From: https://pubs.acs.org (Sept. 19, 2018)

Montealegre, C. et. al. (2017). Effect of Blumea balsamifera extract

on the phase and morphology of calcium oxalate crystals.
Retrieved From:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S22143882
16300546 (Sept. 19, 2018)
APPENDICES
 APPENDIX A

Testing of Glucose Level

Treatment &
Initial Test Final Test Difference
Replications
T1 R1
T1 R2
T1 R3
Mean

Treatment &
Initial Test Final Test Difference
Replications
T2 R1
T2 R2
T2 R3
Mean

Treatment &
Initial Test Final Test Difference
Replications
T3 R1
T3 R2
T3 R3
Mean

Treatment &
Initial Test Final Test Difference
Replications
T4 R1
T4 R2
T4 R3
Mean
Formula: Initial Testing - Final Testing = Difference
 APPENDIX B

Amount of Treatment Administered

Treatment &
Weight of Mice x = mL of Solution
Replications
T1 R1
T1 R2
T1 R3

Treatment &
Weight of Mice x = mL of Solution
Replications
T2 R1
T2 R2
T2 R3

Treatment &
Weight of Mice x = mL of Solution
Replications
T3 R1
T3 R2
T3 R3

Treatment &
Weight of Mice x = mL of Solution
Replications
T4 R1
T4 R2
T4 R3
mass of white mice (20mL)
Formula: x =
1000g
 APPENDIX C

Treatment Formulas

Treatment Sambong Extract Distilled Water

1
2
3
4 (Control)
*10mL syringe was used

T1 - 50% sambong extract with 50% distilled water

T2 - 75% sambong extract with 25% distilled water

T3 - 100% sambong extract

T4 - Glibenclamide (control)
 APPENDIX D

Budgetary Proposal

Quantity Item Price of Item Amount (pesos)

10 kg Sambong Leaves 30 150
25 White Mice 25 625
1 Glibenclamide 6 6
4 Syringe 20 80
36 Test Strips 14 605
12 Lancets 1 12
1 Glucometer 730 730
4 pairs Disposable Gloves 8 32
1 (3000 mL) Distilled Water 80 80
4 Laboratory Gowns 105 420
1 pad Paper 25 25
3 containers Butter 25 75
4 kg Sugar 20 80
8 loaves Bread 25 200
1 Knife 110 110
1 Chopping Board 100 100
1 Cheese Cloth 166 166
4 Dilution Bottles 15 60
1m Screen Wire 25 25
- Contingency Fund - 500
Total - - 4081
 APPENDIX E

Calendar of Activities (March 2019)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat

2
Gathering
1
of
Materials
7 8 9
3 6
4 5 Increasing Increasing Increasing
Gathering Extraction
Cage Cage of Blood of Blood of Blood
of of
Making Making Glucose Glucose Glucose
Materials Sambong
Levels Levels Levels
10 11 12 13
14 15 16
Increasing Increasing Increasing Increasing
Admission Admission Admission
of Blood of Blood of Blood of Blood
of of of
Glucose Glucose Glucose Glucose
Treatment Treatment Treatment
Levels Levels Levels Levels
21
22
17 18 19 20 Determina
Disposal 23
Admission Admission Admission Admission tion of
of Statistical
of of of of Blood
Experime Analysis
Treatment Treatment Treatment Treatment Glucose
ntal Mice
Levels

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31