Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 15(3), July 2016, pp. 411-416 Analysis of phytochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai in relation to its ethnomedicinal relevance in Cordillera, Philippines Chan, Maida Fatima E1, Geronimo, Arnold Joseph O2*, Aspiras, Allan Paolo F2, Busaing, Ezra Jair W2, Dato, Ronald Joseph B2, Calumpit, Donna May A2, Cariaga, Liliamar B2, Elizaga, Jhodel Ann C2 & Lafuente, Angelica T2 1Faculty Research Promoter, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines; 2Undergraduate Student Researcher, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Saint Louis University Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected] Received 22 June 2015, revised 03 February 2016 Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, one of the ethnomedicinal plants used by the Cordillerans, is believed to treat various ailments based from the existing ethnoknowledge of Kalanguya tribe. However, scientific recognition of its claimed clinical consequences is limited. Hence, this research aims to identify its bioactive compounds as well as its antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activity which may be used to evaluate its potency. Standard tests for evaluating different bioactive compounds were employed for the identification of present phytochemicals. Results showed the presence of carbohydrates, phytosterols mainly diterpenes and triterpenes, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and proteins. In the assessment of its antimicrobial potential against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method was employed; and the extract demonstrated negative inhibition against these bacteria. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was executed for the detection of its antioxidant property, and the result showed that S. glabra has a free radical scavenging activity indicated by a decrease in the absorption of DPPH as the concentration of the extract increases. Findings indirectly suggest the therapeutic assertions potentiality of the ethnomedicinal plant. Therefore, clinical therapeutic trials are recommended to confirm therapeutic claims. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, Phytochemical screening, Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Antioxidant testing, Cordillera, Kalanguya tribe IPC Int. Cl.8:C09K 15/00, C07, C07D 311/30, C07C, A61K 36/00 In terms of health outcomes, the Philippines is practices and knowledge from ethno linguistic groups considered to be the bottommost country in South east which is embedded in cultural practices and traditions and North Asia1. Inequity in accessing healthcare in the country3,4. It is estimated that around 80% of services, as a result of social, economic and the population depends exclusively on plants for their geographic barriers, is the single most stressed health and healing5. problem which arises from the Philippines’ basic Cordillera is a home of rich diverse plant species health system. that have potential use in community and public Regardless of the escalating health scarcity, health6. For the Cordilleran folklore, different kinds of ethnomedicinal traditions play a strategic social plants had a great effect in their cultural heritage importance as the most affordable, accessible and safe because the relationship between man and plant is health option for ensuring health security to millions. extremely important7 with their rich knowledge and Hence, traditional medicine is critical in supporting belief in treating common ailments through rustic primary healthcare satisfying the scarcity for curative means, and one of the various plants used is conventional medicine2. Sarcandra glabra5. The Philippines is rich in flora biodiversity; Sarcandra glabra, more commonly known as gipas likewise, with the various indigenous healing or gepas, is an herb widely distributed in the Philippines at medium to high elevations. It is known —————— *Corresponding author to grow in humid and forest areas of Cordillera at 412 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL 15, NO. 3, JULY 2016 1800 m elevation5. Kabayan, one of the municipalities For the antimicrobial susceptibility analysis, the of Benguet, uses Sarcandra glabra as an herbal plant sample extracts were tested against Escherichia medicine, which is believed to have anti- coli and Staphylococcus aureus as representatives of inflammatory and anti-infection properties. The gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria using Kalanguya tribe has been using gipah for cleansing Kirby-Bauer Method. The interpretation was limited the body systems, treating urinary tract infections, and to the presence or absence of antimicrobial activity of preventing wound infections8. Due to this established S. glabra extract. ethnomedicinal knowledge, the Government of The determination of its antioxidant property Cordillera promoted it in the market as a tea. was considered using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies (DPPH) method. The interpretation was limited to the supporting its quality. Therefore, scientific evaluation presence or absence of free radical scavenging of the plant is indeed a stage for recognition and a activity of S. glabra extract. measure for quality use. Despite the manifold advantages obtained from Preparation of extracts biological resources, the highlight for its utilization is The collected plant sample from Kabayan, still constricted9 though their significant contributions Benguet, Philippines was sundried, and the leaves to modern pharmaceuticals10,11 as well in traditional were chopped into fine, thin pieces. The extraction medicine12 is obvious; and with the growing threat of was carried into two ways. Soxhlet extraction method, 14 losing traditional knowledge in the modern era, many a continuous process, suited for bulk extraction efforts have been made to record and publish various using ethanol, as the solvent which offers good ethnomedicinal knowledge13. penetration of cellular membrane and a good medium This study aims to indirectly substantiate tribe’s for the extraction of wide-array of phytochemical ethnomedicinal affirmations by evaluating its compounds especially those with antimicrobial 15 phytochemical contents, antimicrobial activity against activity , was employed in phytochemical and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well antioxidant analyses where 12 gm of the sample was as its antioxidant property. extracted with 150 mL of 95% ethanol for 24 hrs. In antioxidant analysis, the extraction procedure was Methodology done according to the method described by Methods on evaluating Sarcandra glabra were Molyneux16 where 200 mg of the sample was narrowed to phytochemical screening, antimicrobial extracted with 5 mL of hot 70 % ethanol in a 70 °C susceptibility analyses, and antioxidant determination. water bath for 10 min with occasional vortex mixing. Thus, the assessment of Sarcandra glabra was The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature constricted to the phytochemical, antimicrobial and and filtered. The residue was extracted one more time antioxidant characterization descriptively. Clinical and the filtrate was combined. therapeutic assertion of the herb was not covered. This study is a qualitative research that utilized an Phytochemical analysis experimental approach. The plants were obtained The phytochemical analysis of the plant extract within the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), was performed by the NSRU in Saint Louis Philippines, and proper botanical identification and University. The extract was tested for the presence of verification of the plant material were conducted at specific phytochemical compounds such as alkaloid, Department of Agrarian Reform Benguet, Philippines. carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phytosterols, Moreover, Cordilleran ethnomedicinal knowledge phenolic compounds, flavonoids and proteins. regarding S. glabra was limited to the information given by the said institution and literatures. The Antimicrobial analysis methodologies were conducted on March & April 2015 The antimicrobial activity of the plant was assessed at the Natural Sciences Research Unit (NSRU) facility using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Sterile of Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines. Discs, punched into 5 mm, were sterilized and soaked The study was only limited to the determination of into 100 mg/ml concentration of S. glabra extract in specific phytochemical contents such as alkaloid, ethanol as solvent. Eight discs were placed in two carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phytosterols, casts of Mueller Hinton agar medium, four discs were phenolic compounds, flavonoids and proteins. soaked to the extract. Discs were placed into the CHAN et al.: PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF S. GLABRA & ITS ETHNOMEDICINAL RELEVANCE IN PHILIPPINES 413 media of choice which were prepared according to the screening and extraction methods described by instructions given by the manufacturer and were Tiwari et al. (2011)15. The screening revealed the previously swabbed with Escherichia coli and presence of carbohydrates, phytosterols mainly Staphylococcus aureus. Tetracycline was added as a diterpenes and triterpenes, phenolic compounds, positive control. These preparations were incubated at flavonoids and protein. 37 oC for about 24 hrs then antimicrobial activity was determined as the diameter in millimeter of the Antimicrobial activity inhibitory zone formed around the disc. Antimicrobial activity of S.