Kalachuchi (Plumeria acuminata) Petal Extract as Potential Inhibitor

of Cell Growth

An Official Entry to the 2023 Division Sci-Tech Expo SIP Individual Category

Submitted by:
Marc Laurence M. Adigue

Theresa A. Rocaberte
Adviser

June 2023
 Kalachuchi (Plumeria acuminata) Petal Extract as Potential Inhibitor
of Cell Growth

Marc Laurence M. Adigue

______________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or
nearly one in six deaths. The study was conducted to determine the inhibitory capacity of
Kalachuchi (P. acuminata) Petal Extract on the growth of germinated Mung beans and may serve
as the basis for the development of medicines which is affordable and can help patients suffering
from cancer-related illnesses. Flavonoids in P. acuminata have been shown to possess a wide
variety of anticancer effects: they modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzyme
activities, participate in arresting the cell cycle, induce apoptosis, and autophagy, and suppress
cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. Kalachuchi (P. acuminata) Petals were air-dried and
soaked in 95% Ethanol for 72 hours and were extracted using the Ethanol-Water bathing
technique at 90°C for an hour. Setup A of 3 sets with 10 germinated Mung beans have 5ml of P.
acuminata extract have been observed for 3 days. The result showed that after days, the
germinated Mung beans shrank from their normal germinated size thus no growth happened
compared to Setup B of 3 sets with 10 Mung beans which have 5ml of water where significant
average growth of 1cm. daily were observed. Therefore, the inhibitory capacity of P. acuminata
as a cancer growth blocker is very effective and beneficial to people suffering from such illnesses
as the extract directly penetrates the growth factor part of Mung beans.

Keywords: Plumeria acuminata, cancer

1. INTRODUCTION Cancer is a leading cause of death

Indeed, health is wealth. It may worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million

sound cliché, but life is priceless. deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths

Undeniably, everyone wants a healthy (who.net).

lifestyle, others redirect routine into a healthy Cancer is now the third leading cause

lifestyle to enjoy life. Some people indulged of death nationwide, with lung cancer

in fitness programs, and different physical ranking number one in mortality. Dr. Rosario

activities and take food supplements to Pitargue – the Philippine Society of Medical

minimize worn-out cells that might lead to Oncology president- noted 184 cases

some serious illnesses like cancer. diagnosed in 100,000 patients and that 96
deaths related to cancer are reported daily terminal end of the branch, commonly oblong

(Montemayor, 2023). in shape, 20 to 40 centimeters long, 7

More targeted cancer control centimeters wide, and spirally arranged at the

interventions and investment in improved ends of the branches. Flowers are numerous,

early detection and treatment would facilitate fragrant, and large, the upper portion whitish,

reductions in cancer mortality. (Cancer while the inner lower portion yellow, 5 to 6

Statistics, 2022) centimeters long. (stuartxchange.org)

The Kalachuchi (Plumeria Based on the previous study of

acuminata) flowers in the Philippines were Godofredo U. Stuart Jr., MD that P.

closely involved with the dead. The flowers acuminata has yielded the presence of

were mostly grown as ornamental which are tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids,

usually offered to the dead. This tradition is steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and

usually a sign of respect for the dead as well reducing sugar from the crude extract. The

as for the grieving. antibacterial assay showed the methanol

Plumeria acuminata is a small, extract to inhibit the growth of 14 indicator

deciduous tree, 3 to 7 meters high, with a bacteria. The extract of the flower was more

crooked trunk, smooth and shining stems, active against B cereus.

succulent, with abundant sticky, milky latex. The study was conducted to

Bark has a smooth, papery outer layer that is determine the inhibitory capacity of

grey, shining, and constantly exfoliating in Kalachuchi (P. acuminata) Petal Extract on

small flakes. Wood is yellowish-white and the growth of germinated Mung beans and

soft. Branches are thick, fleshy, swollen, and may serve as the basis for the development of

leafy at the tips. Leaves are crowded at the medicines which is affordable and can help
patients suffering from cancer-related Edgardo A. Haspe, Officer in Charge of the

illnesses. City Agriculturist’s Office, Davao City.

Conceptual Framework 2.3 Preparation of Materials

The materials used in the study

Kalachuchi • Mung
(Plumeria acuminata) Beans include 700g. of P. acuminata petals, 1000
Petal Extract
ml. 95% Ethanol, (250mL) beakers, surgical

2. METHODOLOGY gloves, scissors, a dropper, a stirring rod, an

2.1 Collection of plant materials Erlenmeyer Flask, a ruler, a digital weighing

Kalachuchi Petals were collected scale, plastic bottles, water, a stainless

from the graveyard of San Pedro Cemetery, platter, strainer, funnel, rice cooker, glass

Davao City. The samples were brought to the bowl, ruler, wooden knife, syringe, plastic

City Agriculturist’s Office for verification petri dish, and mung beans.

and authentication purposes. While Mung 2.4 Preparation of Plant Sample

beans were bought at the Bankerohan Public The P. acuminata petals were shaken

Market. off to remove dust. It was air-dried for 4- 5

hours under the roof at normal environment

temperature. The air-dried petals were

removed from the stalks, cut into small

pieces, it weighed about 700g. and placed in

an empty container.
Figure 1. Collection of Kalachuchi

2.2 Authentication of Plant Samples

The collected sample of Kalachuchi

was verified and authenticated by Sir Figure 2. Weighing of Kalachuchi

 The petals in the container were Ethanol-Water Bathing technique with 4L
soaked in 1000mL. 95% Ethanol and placed
water in a big rice cooker was used bringing
in the darkroom for 72 hours. After soaking,
the water to 900C before the bowl of solution
the plant sample was removed from the
container, squeezed the juice from the petals was placed. With occasional stirring to let the
using bare hands, and stored in a plastic bottle
ethanol evaporate, every 20-minute intervals,
ready for extraction.
the rice cooker was turned off to test the

consistency of the solution and to get the

desired extract. The bathing took 1 hour that

Figure 3. Kalachuchi in Ethanol reached the solution of more than half of the

On the other hand, about 2 handfuls previous volume. The extract gathered after

of Mung beans were washed and soaked with bathing is about 300ml.

water in an empty plastic bottle, letting the

beans germinate for 48 hours and to be sure

that all beans to be used are uniformly

germinated.

Figure 5. Ethanol-Water Bathing

Temperature elevation can break cell

walls and is beneficial for the extraction of

flavonoids. However, high temperatures are

Figure 4. Mung Beans germination, and after 48 hours
not conducive to extraction, as they can
2.5 Extraction of Plant Sample
destroy flavonoid activities. Therefore, the
The 700ml. Kalachuchi extracts with
release of flavonoids increases at optimum
ethanol were transferred to a glass bowl.
temperatures (Food Chem X, 2022).
2.6 Test Procedure

There were 3 Petri dishes prepared for

Setup A where ten (10) germinating Mung

beans are carefully placed in every petri dish

using the wooden knife-assisted method and

5 ml of Kalachuchi extract are applied to each

dish using a 6ml. size syringe. Setup B also

has 3 Petri dishes containing the same

number of germinated Mung beans with 5 ml.

Figure 7. Setup A and B after 2 days
of water. Every day, 5ml. of Kalachuchi
2.7 Disposal
extract was applied to each in Setup A and
The used Kalachuchi samples and
5ml. of water in Setup B.
excessed Mung bean sprouts were thrown in

the garbage bin. All containers and laboratory

apparatus used in the project were washed

and returned to the Science laboratory, and

used liquids were disposed of in a sink with

running water.

Figure 6. Preparing the Setup

Figure 8. Disposal of used Kalachuchi Petals and Extracts

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION autophagy, and suppress cancer cell

Table 1 presents the daily proliferation and invasiveness

development of germinated Mung beans in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ).

three Petri dishes with P. acuminata extract In a study in Indonesia, six cytotoxic

and with water within 3 days. Results constituents were isolated from the bark of P

revealed that in Setup A there was no rubra - another Scientific Name for

improvement in the germination of Mung Kalachuchi. The substances demonstrated

beans after Day 3, the extract was absorbed cytotoxic activity with a panel of murine

by the beans and it started to reduce its lymphocytic leukemia cell lines and several

normal size, while in Setup B, Mung beans human cancer cell types (breast, colon,

with water increases its germination size to fibrosarcoma, lung, melanoma (steemit.com)

2cm. on Day 1, 3cm. on Day 2, and 4cm. on Anticancer-Saponins: The study

Day 3. which are significantly visible. investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic

Table 1. Size of Mung Bean Sprouts effects of saponins from P. acuminata aid on
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Mung Beans Average
Setup A with oral squamous carcinoma cells. Results
Kalachuchi 0cm. 0cm. 0cm. 0cm.
Extract
Setup B with
showed cytotoxic and apoptotic effects with
1cm 1cm. 1cm. 1cm.
Water
potential as an anticancer agent for OSCC.

This result supported the study that Mung beans in this project were used

Flavonoids have been shown to possess a to represent the easy growth of cancer cells as

wide variety of anticancer effects: they it has the metabolite substance for growth and

modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS)- reproduction, Mung beans also have

scavenging enzyme activities, participate in flavonoids and tannins as important as the

arresting the cell cycle, induce apoptosis, and Kalachuchi plant. It showed that the
Flavonoids of Kalachuchi are more Mung beans. For the reasons above, I say,

concentrated which caused the shrinkage of Kalachuchi from the graveyard to a life

germinated Mung beans. extension of mankind.

4. CONCLUSION 5. RECOMMENDATION

This project proved that P. acuminata Based on the results of the study: the

has an inhibitory capacity on the growth of following are strongly recommended

Mung beans. The Mung beans shrank when 1. It is suggested that using Kalachuchi petal

applied with P. acuminata extract which can extract within a proportional concentration

prove that if it will be applied to cancer cells, ratio for significant effect as a cancer blocker.

this will suppress the cell’s growth. 2. Methanol, Microwave-assisted extraction,

According to the Canadian Cancer and decoction method were also suggested to

Study, a tumor will develop and grow as be used for the desirable extraction of

cancer cells divide. Cancer cells have the flavonoids - a potential inhibitor.

same needs as normal cells. Kalachuchi 3. Kalachuchi extraction should be tested in

extract in this project significantly blocked a highly equipped laboratory to observe its

the growth of Mung beans which were phytochemical components which leads to

already germinated thus, if applied to cancer the development of effective and affordable

cells it will eventually do the same. herbal or synthetic medicines for patients

Therefore, the inhibitory capacity of suffering from cancer-related illnesses.

P. acuminata as a cancer growth blocker is 4. Some drugs block vascular endothelial

very effective and beneficial to people growth factor (VEGF) from attaching to the

suffering from such illnesses as the extract receptors on the cells that line the blood

directly penetrates the growth factor part of vessels. This stops the blood vessels from
growing (www.cancerresearchuk.org). It is financial support, and patience for the

suggested that medical laboratory experts completion of the said study.

will develop and/or enhance this extract into REFERENCES:

a drug that blocks the growth of cancer cells. URL:

5. Medical experts and researchers should https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-

cancer/treatment/targeted-cancer-
consider this study and give high attention to drugs/types/anti-angiogenics

the benefit of mankind. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-

information/what-is-cancer/how-cancer-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT starts-grows-and-
spreads#:~:text=How%20cancer%20grows,
Praise and glory to the Almighty God act%20differently%20than%20normal%20c
ells.
for the unlimited wisdom, knowledge, and
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P
strength given for the accomplishment of the MC7071196/#:~:text=Flavonoids%20have%
20dual%20action%20regarding,downregulat
project. ing%20pro%2Dinflammatory%20signaling
%20pathways.
We extend our thanks to our principal
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P
Eloisa R. Questo for her invaluable support MC8933822/

and assistance during the study. To https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1196057#:~

:text=MANILA%20%2D%2D%20Cancer%
Edgardo A. Haspe - the Officer In charge of 20is%20now,to%20cancer%20are%20report
ed%20daily.
the City Agriculturist’s Office for rendering
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35020204/
extra efforts in certifying the plant sample. #:~:text=Mortality%20data%20(through%2
02019)%20were,leading%20cause%20of%2
To my parents, class adviser, and SIP 0cancer%20death.

adviser Theresa A. Rocaberte, my https://steemit.com/flower/@icelarbes/kalac

huchi-flower-frangipani
classmates, and the rest of the faculty and

staff of WES for the time, consideration, http://www.stuartxchange.org/Kalachuchi.ht

ml