CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Medicinal plants play a crucial role in health care needs of people around the
world especially in developing countries (Bekalo et al., 2009, Rao et al., 2004). In 1993
to 2004 estimated, four billion people or 80% of the worlds population presently use
herbal medicine or still depending on the use of traditional medicine derived from plants.
(WHO, 2004; Cunningham, 1993).
People living in remote areas depend more extensively on traditional medicine as
modern systems are out of reach (Mahonge et al., 2006, de Silva 1997, Bodeker, 1994,
Sofowora, 1993, Bhat et al., 1990). Medicinal plants play a key role in the development
and advancement of modern studies by serving as a starting point for the development of
novelties in drugs (Pramono, 2002). Approximately 25% of drugs used in modern
Pharmacopoiea are derived from plants and many others are synthetic analogues built on
prototype compounds isolated from plants and it was establishes that the total number of
medicinal trade is about 2500 species (Schippman et al., 2002). The demands of the
majority of the people in developing countries for medicinal plants have been met by
indiscriminate harvesting of spontaneous flora including those in forest and over
exploitation of these wild sources has led to many species being extinct, threated or
endangered (Omobuwajo et al., 2008)
Republic Act 8423: "Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997."An act of creating the Philippine Institute of traditional and Alternative Health Care
(PITAHC) to hasten the development of traditional and alternative health care in the
Philippines, providing for a traditional and alternative health care development fund and
for other purposes - To expand the quality and delivery of health care services to the

Filipino people through the development of traditional and alternative health care and its
integration into the national health care delivery system.
Palawan is a last frontier for conservation in the Philippines. The island boasts
half of its original primary forests, some of the oldest and most diverse in Asia. The
forests of Palawan are understudied and diminishing rapidly, however. Palawan is often
called the Philippines' last biodiversity frontier because it still retains more than 50
percent of its original forest cover, and harbors vast stretches of old growth forests on its
mountainous slopes. Nearly 20 percent of the population is composed of indigenous
ethnic groups who depend on subsistence fishing and farming for their livelihoods, and
manage a significant portion of Palawans natural resources under their ancestral domain
claims. (http://www.conservation.org/global/philippines/where/palawan)
The Philippine Congress passed the Republic Act 7611, known as the Strategic
Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, which serves as the framework for the
biodiversity and ecological preservation of the area and encompasses the terrestrial and
forestlands, the marine or coastal area, and the tribal ancestral lands.
Aborlan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. It lies
in a vast plain between the Sulu Sea and the mountains. It is located 69 kilometers south
of Puerto Princesa City. It was established in 1910. It became a regular municipality in
1951. Aborlan is politically subdivided into 19 barangays; Apo-Aporawan, Apoc-apoc,
Aporawan, Barake, Cabigaan, Gogognan, Iraan, Isaub, Jose Rizal, Mabini, Magbabadil,
Plaridel, Ramon Magsaysay, Sagpangan, San Juan, Tagpait, Tigman, Poblacion,
Culandanum and Marikit.
Aborlan was a Tagbanua reservation in the time of Commonwealth, They are
concentrated in this town and in the areas of Quezon in the western coastal bay. It was
observed that they use herbal plants to remedy their ailments.
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One of the plants they use is the Abutra ( Arcangelisia Flava) which is used for
amenorrhea, malaria and shilling fever. (Matsuura, H., Takahashi, K., Yamasaki, M.,
Yamato, O., Maede, Y., Katakura, K., & Yoshihara, t. (2005)
Arcangelisi flava Merr. (menispermaceae), A popular medicinal plant in parts of
Asia, where it is often harvested from the wild for local use. The pharmacological effects
of the plant are largely attributable to the alkaloid berberine, which is present in
concentrations of up to 5% in the stem (dry weight). Berberine has been fairly well
investigated and has been shown to be active against a number of gram-positive as well
as gram-negative bacteria. Berberine has also been shown to be a potent activator for
macrophages; to induce inhibition of tumour cells; and to lower the blood pressure in a
dose-dependent manner. (http://proseanet.org/)
The stems are antibacterial, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive,
stomachic and tonic. In larger doses it can stimulate uterine contractions and cause an
abortion. A decoction is taken internally as a treatment for jaundice, worms, indigestion
and other intestinal complaints. (http://proseanet.org/)
The plant is a popular antiseptic in the Philippines, where a decoction of the wood
is used to clean wounds, ulcers and other skin irritations. The smoke from the burning
wood is inhaled as a remedy for troubles of the mucous membrane of the nose and
mouth. The sap which flows abundantly from cut stems is drunk as a treatment against
fever and sprue. The flowers are used to treat dysentery. A yellow dye is extracted from
the woody stem. This is due mainly to the presence of the alkaloid berberine in the stem.
(http://proseanet.org/)
Yellow-fruited moonseed is considered an interesting medicinal plant and may
become important in cancer control. The development of proper biotechnological
methods to produce alkaloids in tissue culture might provide the tools for large-scale
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production of alkaloids from Arcangelisia flava. (Matsuura, H., Takahashi, K., Yamasaki,
M., Yamato, O., Maede, Y., Katakura, K. & Yoshihara, t. (2005).
Statement of the Problem
The aim of this study is to determine the uses and the respondents perceived
effectiveness of Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) in the selected barangay of Aborlan,
Palawan.
In specifically sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents as to:
1.1 age;
1.2 gender;
1.3 civil status;
1.4 duration of residence;
1.5 ethnicity;
1.6 barangay;
1.7 occupation;
1.8 income; and
1.9 educational attainment?
2. Whom did the respondents learn to use the Abutra?
3. How did the respondents learn the use of Abutra?
4. What are the uses of Abutra plants in relation to health conditions?
5. How Abutra is prepared:
5.1 plant parts;
5.2 dosage;
5.3 contraindication?
6. What are the respondents parameters when to stop taking the Abutra?
7. What are other adjunct treatment used as to:
7.1 Abutra and modern medicine?
7.2 Abutra and other herbal plants?
8. Where do the Abutra plant grow? (Habitat)
9. What are the methods of propagation of the Abutra?
10. What is the respondents perceive effectiveness on the use of Abutra?

Very Effective

Effective Not Effective

Significance of the Study

This research will document the uses and perceived effectiveness of Abutra
(Arcangelisia Flava) in Aborlan, Palawan.
Particularly the result of this study may be beneficial to the following groups:
For the Nursing Professionals, the result of this study will provide data about the
awareness of people in a similar barangay about the Abutra (Arcangelisia Flava) that
would help in assessment phase in order to make a plan to give remedies in common
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ailments that are easily accessible, available and cost efficient. It would also give them
idea on areas that would need enhancement in the use of alternative medicine.
For the People of the Community, the residents of the community will have
increased awareness with the current information herbal medicine which will be helpful
in their daily living.
For the Community Health Nurses, this will give them knowledge about the level
of awareness of people in the barangay about the approved herbal medicine and this will
give them the chance to further enhance their skills in providing information and the
quality of service they would give to the community people.
For the Student Nurses, this will help them to come up with a valid assessment of
the client that will help in giving appropriate nursing interventions that is accessible and
available to the community people in using alternative medicine specifically herbal
medicine.
For the Researchers, this would give them knowledge regarding the level of
awareness of people in the use and preparation of herbal medicine.
For the Government Officials, this would give them information on what areas in
herbal medicine need further information dissemination and they could use this as a basis
for developing programs that would protect the natural resources as well as the safety of
the consumers.
Scope and Delimitation
This study was delimited to the uses and perceived effectiveness of Abutra
(Arcangelisia Flava) to the residents of Aborlan from 18 years old and above living in
selected barangay of Aborlan, Palawan such as: Cabigaan, Cogognon, Mabini,
Magbabadil, Sagpangan, Iraan, Barake and Isaub. The study will be conducted in July
2016 to August 2016.