EFFECTIVENESS OF EUPHORPHIA HIRTA (TAWA-TAWA) TEA IN PROMOTING THROMBOCYTOSIS IN MICE
by: Dr. Frederick W. Gomez
Abstract
The blood platelet
counts of the mice models before performing the experiment were done the average
rate is 185 blood platelets which is
below average of 140 – 410 10³/mm³ bracket to the standard blood platelets of
the mice while they were introduced and administered by the tawa-tawa tea. Likewise their effectiveness is less as per
basis on the highest and lowest blood platelet counts.
The hypothesis that there is no significant relationship
between tawa-tawa tea and the blood platelet counts during the administration
of tawa – tawa to the patient victims of thrombocytopenia is rejected because
the calculated value of the mean 65 platelets is to the Standard deviation of
9.75 and calculated value of the mean 20 platelets is to the Standard deviation
of 5.32 are being calculated using the Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) revealed
that the F calculated value is 81.98 which has a Critical F – value of 5.32.
This finding corroborates the findings of Valwebs (2012) that there is a significant difference when tawa – tawa was administered because the computed value is higher than the critical value. It would mean that the effectiveness of the tawa – tawa is advisable to the victim of the thrombocytopenia though it is less effective.
Key
words:
Effectiveness of Tawa-tawa
Introduction
The former Department Of Health
(DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona (2012) stressed that,
“we cannot promote tawa-tawa because if we do that, we must have proof that it
is really medically effective and, at the same time, safe and there must be a favorable
study that we can endorse it.” This statement promotes science of research “consistency
and repeatability” (Gomez, 2015) on the study of tawa-tawa. Despite of the
public knowledge and testimonies about tawa-tawa that increases platelet, still
scientific evidence must be explored (Guerrero, lll 2015). An increasing
estimated number of 50 – 100 million dengue victims globally every year that
are at risk of the mosquito-borne viral infectious disease with no preventive vaccines (Ong, 2015) victims
are searching alternative solution to mitigate this problem.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has
rapidly spread in all regions around
the world (WHO, 2015) and causes victims to reduce the thrombocytosis and
vulnerable to thrombocytopenia (Bhatt, et al 2015) and
if not cope overtime would lead to physical weakness and lead the victim to death
(Brady, et al 2012). This is the reason locals on different
geographic regions in the world find option to no specific antiviral therapy is
available for the treatment of dengue (Stuart, 2014). Maintaining
blood circulation and platelet average level is the most important remedy in
the management of the disease and the victim (Sia, et al 2012).
Indigenous alternative solution from locals Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) known as “gatas-gatas,” which belongs to family of
Euphorbiaceae helped victim of thrombocytopenia increases blood platelet.
It is a common medicinal plant grown in Asian countries more particularly in the countries of Southeast Asia (National Geographic, 2015). This plant is widely used as a decoction or infusion to treat various ailments. The white juice extracted from the stem can be use orally for direct medication for “dengue” and other relative internal victim. However, other public knowledge about tawa tawa is that, “it can cure external wound, lacerated part of the skin and tissue” (FGD, 17:15). The Department of Science and Technology (2015) discovered the presence of phenolic compounds found in tawa-tawa, active ingredients suspected to be responsible in the increased platelet counts of tested animals.
Lastly, the effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta
(tawa-tawa) tea in increasing blood platelet count using the mice model and the
tawa-tawa tea revealed significant highly difference (20-60) before and after
drinking tawa-tawa tea and found-out the blood platelet count to the control
and uncontrolled group; therefore, the anti-thrombocytopenic
property of Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) mice
model gives highly difference.
Theoretical framework
The researchers wanted to test the effectiveness of
tawa-tawa in increasing blood platelet count. The independent variable is the “tawa-tawa
tea.” It is process from the grown tawa-tawa at our owned backyard. Dried the
tawa-tawa by air or directly heat from the sun. After being processed from
drying, one may get the pestle and mortar to refine it before it is place to a
piece of cloth forming little bag before it is being drop to a boiled water
within fifteen (15) minutes or one may clean the tawa-tawa leaves, stem and
roots and boiled it directly in the pot within fifteen (15) minutes before
taken as a juice or liquid ready to be drink. While the dependent variables are
the blood platelet counts of the dependent variables that are group into two
(2): five (5) brown mice for the controlled group (experimental group) and five
(5) white mice for the uncontrolled group (non-experimental group) of which the
data are taken from the experimental group whether the blood platelet is (are)
increasing after it take the tawa-tawa juice or liquid.
The basic concept that was investigated in this study
is the effectiveness (increase of blood platelet) of tawa-tawa tea in treating
thrombocytopenia. Phytochemical analysis of Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa)
revealed the presence of more reducing polyphenols, active ingredient suspected
to be responsible in increasing platelet count (DOST, 2015). Researchers had
constructed a schematic diagram that represents the relationship among
variables during the work flow of the study.
Schema
|
|
Significance of the Study
This research titled “Effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea in
promoting thrombocytosis in mice” would provide information in increasing the blood
platelet counts. It will, therefore, be beneficial to the following:
Students.
This study is beneficial to the students at present as it will provide
information about the effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea in
increasing the blood platelet counts. And, help the students to value the
importance of the indigenous herbal alternative medicine like tawa-tawa. And
farther, it will motivate them to cultivate/rear/plants them in their immediate
backyard or cultivate a planetarium.
Patients. This study will help
patients suffering from disease causing thrombocytopenia to lessen the burden
of having this disease. They may soon become a living witness that already
become a public knowledge for their contribution on the increased of the blood
platelet counts as newly found scientific evidence for discoveries about
tawa-tawa.
Health Workers.
This
study will help Health workers as
key player in the dissemination of important information relative to the health
related curative indigenous medicinal plant. Through the Health workers,
information about tawa-tawa could be validated and scientifically considered as
to their reliability.
Physician.
This
study would help Medical practitioners especially Doctors of medicine
particularly Hematologist who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment for blood
related diseases.
Department-Of-Heath
(DOH). This
study would help the DOH in producing indigenous herbal medicinal products that
can be easily seen at the backyard of the locals and can be obtained at lesser
price than other medicine.
Future
Researchers. This study Effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta
(tawa-tawa) tea in promoting thrombocytosis in mice” will serve as reliable source that
would provide additional information for further investigation regarding this
topic to cope over the changing needs of the time and space.
Scope and Delimitations of the
Study
In
this study, the researchers focused on the effectiveness of tawa-tawa tea in
increasing the blood platelet counts. The only parameter measured in the study
is the blood platelet counts and the treatment that will be used in the study about
the tawa-tawa tea.
The researchers used ten (10) mice as subjects of the
study. It is design because mice are genetically similar to humans. It can be
gleaned that blood platelets counts had a resemblance to human. They are also
used because of their small size, low maintenance in captivity and mild manner.
For a mice is eligible for the study, it should be weighed almost 25-30gm and
healthy. This should be done by the veterinarian. The chosen mice models were randomly
assigned into two different groups – the Control Group (Group A-brown mice) and
the Uncontrolled Group (Group B-white mice).
Data gathering procedure included monitoring of blood
platelet counts done prior to and after treatment of the controlled group. Blood
samples were then extracted by the researchers with the help of veterinarian
and were then processed by the veterinarian.
This study on the Effectiveness of tawa-tawa tea in increasing the blood platelet counts was conducted after the seven (7) experimental days. The one month lifespan of the study is conducted to process the findings, presentation, analysis and interpretation of the study.
Definition of Terms
To
facilitate and to give a better understanding of this study, there are specific
terms which are defined conceptually and operationally to avoid confusion or
double meaning. Thus, the following terms are:
Blood platelet – A small, round, thin
blood cell that helps blood to clot by becoming thick and sticky. Blood platelets
are taken by extracting blood through a clean, nontraumatic venipuncture. The
quickest and simplest way to assess platelet number is to examine a stained
blood film.
Control group - in this study, it refers
to the albino mice controlled by treating with the tawa-tawa tea which is
become the subject for the monitoring on their increase of blood platelets
counts.
Cup - is
equal to 8 fluid ounces in US Standard Volume. It is a measure often used
often in cooking.
Experimental group – in this study, it refers
to the albino mice treated with tawa-tawa tea which is become the subject for
the monitoring on their increase of blood platelets counts.
Sepals –
in the study, this refers to a typical function as protection for
the flower of the tawa-tawa in bud, and often as support for the petals when in
bloom.
Thrombocytopenia – A condition in which
there is an abnormally small number of platelets in the circulating blood.
Normal platelet counts are between 150,000 and 450,000/µL.
Tawa-tawa – is a tropical weed that
is oftenly seen in an open grasslands, roadsides and pathways. Its physical
characteristics is hairy herb and purple flower belong to an order of
malpighiales on the family of Euphorbiaceae and genus euphorbia on the species
of E.hirta which bear the scientific name as Euphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa) or
(gatas-gatas).
Tawa-tawa tea - An aromatic beverage prepared by
pouring hot or boiling water over dried leaves of the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) also known as “gatas-gatas,” a hairy herb grown in
open grasslands, roadsides and pathways.
With
treatment – in this study, it refers to an active responses on the
introduce substance (tawa-tawa tea) to the experimental group of mice by
increasing their blood platelet counts.
Without
treatment – in this study, it refers to a non-active responses on the
introduce substance (tawa-tawa tea) to the experimental group of mice by
increasing their blood platelet counts.
Veterinarian
– in this study, it refers as a person qualified to treat
diseased or injured animals.
RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter presents the related Literature and Studies
about the Effectiveness of tawa-tawa tea in increasing the blood platelet
counts. The researchers read previous Related Literature and Studies that had significant
relatedness of the present study. This includes books, unpublished studies and
research materials available at hand.
Foreign
setting
The study on the effectiveness of the
Euphorbia hirta increasingly gets the attention on the tropical public
knowledge due to its non-availability on the thrombocytopenia vaccines (Pratheepa, et al 2015). It is known
throughout the countryside in the tropical region that no medical intervention
can cure the thrombocytopenia. However, there are indigenous
medicinal herbs that are found by the great-grandparents on the locals of the
tropical regions (WHO, 2015).
Likewise, the United Nation Organization (UNO) in its Humanitarian Council (2015) concluded that: 1). Infection with one of these serotypes does not provide cross-protective immunity, so persons living in a dengue-endemic area (tropical regions) can have four dengue infections during their lifetimes. Dengue is primarily an urban disease of the tropics, and the viruses that cause it are maintained in a cycle that involves humans and Aedes aegypti, a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans. Infection with a dengue virus serotype can produce a spectrum of clinical illness, ranging from a nonspecific viral syndrome to severe and fatal hemorrhagic disease. Important risk factors for DHF include the strain and serotype of the virus involved, as well as the age, immune status, and genetic predisposition of the patient (Al-Mughrabi, 2013).
The first reported epidemics of dengue fever occurred
in 1779-1780 in Asia, Africa, and North America; the near simultaneous
occurrence of outbreaks on three continents indicates that these viruses and
their mosquito vector have had a worldwide distribution in the tropics for more
than 200 years. During most of this time, dengue fever was considered a benign,
nonfatal disease of visitors to the tropics (National Geographic, 2015).
Generally, there were long intervals (10-40 years) between major epidemics,
mainly because the viruses and their mosquito vector could only be transported
between population centers by sailing vessels (Quy, et al 2014). It was reported by the World Health Organization
in 2015 that Dengue is estimated to affect 50 million people each year and can
occur as explosive outbreaks that overwhelm health systems. Despite significant
advances the available knowledge is not sufficient to predict the outcome of
individual infections or the occurrence of epidemics (WHO, 2015).
Dengue fever causes mortality and morbidity around the
world, specifically in the Tropical and Subtropical regions, which has been of
major concern to government and the World Health Organization (WHO, 2015). As a
consequence, the search for new anti-dengue agents from medicinal plants has
assumed more urgency than in the past. Medicinal plants have been used widely
to treat a variety of vector ailments such as malaria. The demand for
plant-based medicines is growing as they are generally considered to be safer,
non-toxic and less harmful than synthetic drugs.
It is widely
known, and several clinical studies have shown, that Euphorbia hirta contains
active elements that help stimulate blood platelet production by the bone
marrow in dengue patients (Yadav, et al 2010). It has been reported that
Euphorbia hirta helps promote platelet production by stimulating the bone
marrow of those who have low blood platelet levels resulting from intake of
certain medicines including aspirin and chloramphenicol (Agron, 2012). Stimulation of blood platelet production by the bone
marrow that is attributable to Euphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa) has also been
reported among diabetic, tumor and cancer patients receiving chemotherapeutic
drugs. Likewise, Euphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa) must be considered according to
its type and geographic location where Euphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa) is grown (Kumar,
et al 2010).
Moreover, the major constituents and important chemotaxonomic markers are still ambiguous, and there is no indicator compound to characterize the quality of E. hirta and the preparations in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Thus, an exclusive and accurate evaluation of the quality of E. hirta in crude herbal materials and preparations should be investigated further. Several parts of the plant have interesting antidiabetic, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties (Abu, et al 2011). Consequently, further studies on this plant should be considered by researchers in phytochemistry and pharmacology in discovering newer and potential bioactive compounds such as antidiabetic, antioxidants and anticancers.
The immunomodulation study of the
leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta on the freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio
(infected with Aeromonas hydrophila) has provided significant results (Sandeep et al 2011). The hematological
study on the fish shows that the maximum RBC count of 2.63 ± 0.034 × 106
cells/mm3 was noticed on the fish fed with 25g leaf extract incorporated feed.
After the 5th day of infection with the pathogen, the RBC count was
decreased in all the fish and the least RBC count was noticed in fish fed with
the control feed.
The RBC count was increased after the 20th day
of infection with the highest RBC count of 1.92 ± 0.02 × 106 cells/mm3 at 25 g
leaf extract/kg incorporated feed. The fish showed high hemoglobin content of
10.38 ± 0.04 g/dl on feed having 50 g leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta/kg and
the control fish showed 8.75 ± 0.08 g/dl. The hemoglobin content was decreased
after infection and on the 15th day onwards the hemoglobin content was
increased in all the fish. The maximum hemoglobin content of 7.21 ± 0.02 g/dl
was noticed for the fish fed with 25 g leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta/kg. The
maximum total WBC count of 56.80 ± 0.87 × 104 cells/mm3 was obtained from the
fish fed with 50g leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta. After the 10th day of infection,
the peak WBC count of 67.60 ± 2.82 was observed on the fish fed with 50 g leaf
extract of Euphorbia hirta/kg feed and the WBC count was decreased (23.94 ±
2.24 × 104 cells/mm3 ) in the control fish on the same day.
Among the different concentrations tested, the fish
fed with 50 g extract feed markedly enhanced the WBC count. The log2 antibody
titer results show that the antibody production has increased as the
concentration of leaf extract increases and the maximum log2 antibody titer of
10.67 ± 0.58 was obtained with 50g leaf extract. The Euphorbia hirta were able
to increase the antibody production only for 5 days after infection and in
further days the antibody production was decreased in all the fish fed with
Euphorbia hirta leaf extract.
The results obtained from the study of phagocytic
activity of Euphorbia hirta on Cyprinus carpio it is clear that the fish fed
with higher concentrations of leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta were able to
increase the phagocytic ratio and the maximum phagocytic ratio of 62.67 ± 2.05
% was noticed on the fish fed with 50 g leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta/kg
feed. The peak phagocytic ratio of 73.67 ± 1.65% was found on the 15th
day after infection with the feed having 50 g leaf extract. In control fish,
the phagocytic ratio was increased up to 10 days after infection and in further
days it was decreased.
Local
setting
It is the “public knowledge in the Philippine” (ABS-CBN Corp., 2013) setting that the “use of tawa-tawa or Euphorbia hirta becoming more increasing” (Marvin, 2011). The increased testimonies becoming “an issue to the medical field due to its non-availability of vaccines” (PDI, 2015) on the “thrombocytopenic disease that becomes the vector carried by the mosquitoes” (Rey, 2014); DOH records show that as of Aug. 20, 2011 there have been 56,005 dengue cases reported nationwide, including 321 deaths, this year.” Thus, this report supported the study made by Dr. Rafael Guerrero III (2015) stressed that four deaths in Taguig was recorded after the number of suspected dengue cases in the city ballooned to almost 50 percent – or 528 cases – compared to the same period last year with only 244 cases victims of thrombocytopenia cases due to the non-vaccines to be introduced to the patient and they were brought on the severe status.
The
researchers found out after reading different the different Review of Related
Literature and Studies that “89 percent of this patient who came to the
hospital with a severe thrombocytopenia.” Therefore, chances for the medical
intervention are very low.” However, there are reported cases of 92 percent
dengue victims revealed that they were hailed by the Euphorbia hirta (tawa – tawa) tea
by increasing their blood platelet counts (FGD, 3:15). This however, the
challenge of the medical practitioner to reach-out the remote or countryside
places to inform the locals in the parlance of medical science.
The study made by Dr. Rafael Guerrero III, an academician of the National
Academy of Science and Technology, said laboratory tests on rats conducted by
pharmacy students of the University of Santo Tomas showed that 87 percent of tawa-tawa
effectiveness relates to the increasing blood platelets without affecting the
production of red blood cells and white blood cells. Likewise, during the
interview made by the Phil Star (2015) to Dr. Guerrero revealed that there is
no cure for dengue and patients die primarily because of dehydration. Only five
percent of cases require blood transfusion. He added, although the Euphorbia
hirta (tawa – tawa) tea do not have a scientific bases but 89 percent on the
hospitalized victims of thrombocytopenia recovered due to the drinking of the
Euphorbia hirta (tawa – tawa) tea.
As the researcher conducted the FGD
(Focus Group Discussion) public knowledge revealed their “awesome testimonies”
regarding the severe state on the medically need attention of their patients or
even he/she as the victims of the thrombocytopenia. “Mary” (FGD 9:15) not a
true name said that, “I can remember that I was lying flat on the bed almost
out of conscious state….I almost lost my breath with an empty stomach…I feel
that my stomach is always full….without the dextrose which I am so much
dependent on I will be dehydrated. And she added, “When I open my eye as if
there are stars that has tail I can be seen…”
This statement when evaluated during the FGD made to the victim of
thrombocytopenia, they corroborated their statement during their state of experiences.
METHODS
This chapter presents the methods
and procedures utilized in the study. These include research design, locale and
subject of the study, sampling procedure and instruments used in the study and
lastly, the statistical tool utilized for the significant difference.
Research Design
This is an experimental study
attempting to assess the level of effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta
(tawa-tawa). This research is
a replication of previous investigations, but in this research, instead of
using decoction, the researchers made a tea out of the
herb. The study followed an experimental design. The
design involved a control group and an experimental group. Both groups will
have a pre-test and a post-test, but only the experimental group will be
subjected to a treatment. Based on the outcomes both groups would produced the
difference will be the basis of the effectiveness of the treatment present in
the experimental group and absent in the control group.
Furthermore,
attempted the level of effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea in
increasing blood platelet count among the mice models by assessing the two (2)
groups of mice with five (5) mice for each group; the experimental group (A) and
the control group (B). The experimental group, are the only group that would be
given treatment with the Euphorphia hirta Linn (tawa-tawa) tea.
Locale/Setting of the study
The
researcher come-up this research study due to recorded increasing number of
“dengue victims” which caught alarming “data” recorded by the City Health
Officer in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental. The Municipality of Tagoloan is adjacent to Tagolaon
Community College responded the need of the community counterpart in promoting health
and wellness for life to the fullest. Likewise, public knowledge revealed that
there is no “medical intervention” done with an immediate recovery of the
“dengue victim.” It is because of the availability of the alternative (option)
medication as traditionally done by locals so; the victim immediately embraced
this practiced for recovery and healing purposes adopted by the old folks.
Now, because of the availability of the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) at their backyard this can be an immediate option for their action for medication. Thus, the researcher assesses the level of the effectiveness on Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea and done particularly in the Medical and Polymedic Center in Tagoloan for experimentation. Thus, the locale or the setting of the study is situated below.
Subject
of the Study
A total of 10 mice are used in conducting the research, it is divided into two (2) groups consisting of five (5) mice for each group. They were categorized in the following: Group A, subjects are the experimental group treated with tawa-tawa tea for haft cup three (3) times a day for two weeks. Group B, subjects are not given treatment of tawa-tawa tea.
Fig3. Group A for Experimental Group
Fig4. Group B for non-Experimental Group
Laboratory
Mice. The
“brown albino mice (Mus musculus) used for the control group in the laboratory
and white albino mice (Mus musculus) for the non-controlled group. The house
mouse, a member of the rodent family, originated in ancient Asia and later
spread throughout Europe” (Kumar, et al 2010).
The “mouse has been used in biochemical research since 20th century;
today, more than 3,000 genetically defined strains of lab mice are used for
research purposes (Enerva, et al 2015). The primary supply source of laboratory
mice is commercial breeders. Relatively few are captured from the wild or bred
in research laboratories, although the latter practice is becoming more common
with some genetically engineered mice.
Several characteristics have led to the increased use of mice in research. Scientists say that mice are genetically similar to humans (at least 80 percent of DNA in mice is identical to that of humans). They are also used because of their small size, short lifespan and reproductive cycle, low maintenance in captivity, and mild manner (Pie, 2014). For these reasons, house mice are used each year in tests of new procedures and drugs as well as in research involved in the production of biological products such as vaccines.
In handling laboratory mice, there
are several things that must be kept in mind. One must be firm but gentle and
always handle the animal on the same way. A mouse is best handled by picking it
up by the base of the tail, then gently grasping a pinch of lose skin over the
shoulder area between the thumb and forefinger to avoid harming it. Thus, the
following physiological and general data about the Albino Mouse are mentioned
in table1. Thus, the mice above were treated in this medical laboratory:
Table1.
Physiological and General Data of Albino Mouse
|
COMMON NAME |
MOUSE |
|
ORDER |
RODENTA |
|
FAMILY |
MURIDAE |
|
GENUS |
MUS |
|
SPECIES |
MUSCULUS |
|
BLOOD
PLATELETS 10³/mm³ |
160-410 |
|
WEIGHT
ADULT MALE gm |
20-40 |
|
WEIGHT
ADULT FEMALE gm |
25-40 |
|
LIFE
SPAN YEARS |
1.5-3 |
Sampling procedure
The researchers used the stratified random sampling. This refers
to a sampling method that
the researchers had been using for the following properties. The population
consists of the ten (10) Albino mice. The ten (10) Albino mice are divided into
groups, called strata. Each Albino mice of the population was assigned to one
and only one, stratum. This would mean that the common name is one in one mouse
in the mice under study. The procedure to divide the mice into two (2)
smaller groups, five (5) mice will be for the control group and the other five
(5) mice will be for the uncontrolled group. Stratified random sampling was used
farther to form a probability sampling in which it ensures that there is
possibility for each mice in the sample subject to be selected. Thus, this
procedure was used in the stratified random sampling made in the study.
Research
instrument
The researchers was using
tawa-tawa leaves, stem and roots for the treatment of the mice which had been
previously injected aspirin to induce Thrombocytopenia. For the blood
collection, the researchers will be using the following instrument:
Syringe.
It is a tube or bulb for sucking in and
ejecting liquid in a thin stream.
For the platelet counts, the researchers will be using the following instrument.
Capillary tube. It is a very
thin tube made of rigid material such as plastic or glass, and is heparinized.
Microscope. An optical instrument used for viewing very
small objects, such us mineral samples or animal or plant cell typically
magnified several hundred times.
Hemocytometer.
A device used to count cells.
Rees
ecker reagent. A diluting fluid for cell count.
Lancet. A pricking needle used to obtain drops of blood for testing
Preparation
and Data Gathering Procedures
Two (2) groups of mice were brought to a veterinary
clinic in Cagayan de Oro City and conducted a blood platelet counts with the
help of a veterinarian. With the help of a veterinarian, the researchers
collected blood samples from the saphenous vein of the mouse models and
conducted blood platelet counts using hemocytometer.
The result will serve as the
reference if there would be changes in the blood platelet counts of the test
animals. Next, the mice were orally administered Aspirin at a dose of 600mg/kg
thrice day for 7 days to induce thrombocytopenia. After 7 days the two (2)
groups of mice were tested for blood platelet count again using the
Hemocytometer and the decrease results are noted. After the test the group A
was treated with Euphorphia
hirta (tawa-tawa) tea dipped of a cup half-filled with hot water or boiled
tawa-tawa tea for about three (3) times daily for seven (7) days.
After the administration of the tawa-tawa tea, the platelet counts were noted
and the values gathered were analyzed.
Preparation
of Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea
Half-kilo of freshly picked Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) leaves were air-dried. One hundred grams (100g) of the tawa-tawa leaves will be cut into small pieces and pressed. In order to be commercially liked by the thrombocytopenic victim, the air-dried or directly dried under the heat of the sun tawa-tawa leaves, stem and roots it should be placed into the pestle and mortar it, to convert the rough and raw materials of tawa-tawa leaves, stem and roots into a refine one. Two grams (2g) of pressed or refined tawa-tawa leaves stem and roots were placed on a tea bag. Each tea bag was placed on a cup half-filled with hot water or boiled it into the pot within fifteen minutes with a tawa-tawa tea and cool it with ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes and introduced it to the mice three (3) times a day for seven (7) days. After seven (7) days the platelet count were checked. Here is the preparation procedure below.
Fig4. tawa-tawa in the
ground grasses
Fig5. tawa-tawa stem with
leaves & a sepal with flowers pick-up by hand
Fig6. this is a matured
washed tawa-tawa
Fig7. tawa-tawa ready to be boiled in a pot within fifteen (15) minutes
Fig13. the 2g roughly
crushed tawa-tawa is now placed inside in the tea bag ready to be boiled within
fifteen (15) minutes.
Fig14. Boiled tea bag of
tawa-tawa within fifteen (15) minutes using the pot or multipurpose bowl either
by current or firewood.
Fig15. this is the boiled water of tawa-tawa with a
2g tea bag inside the glass ready for the implementation of the
experimentation.
Fig16. testing the tawa-tawa tea free from microbial presence or foreign
elements.
Fig17. this is now the
tawa-tawa tea to be introduce to the five (5) experimented mice three (3) times
a day for seven (7) days.
Statistical Treatment of the study
To arrive at an accurate
interpretation of the gathered data, the data were analyzed using the ANOVA.
The ANOVA statistical difference between the means of 2 (two) groups were more
likely for the treatment because of the two treated values. The researchers
will compare the results of the platelet counts before and after the treatment
of the controlled and uncontrolled group.
The following statistical treatment
was used: the tallying; getting the frequency; computing the mean and standard
deviation and getting the Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) just to test the
significant difference to those mice administered with tawa – tawa and those
mice without the administration of tawa – tawa. The following formula was
utilized in getting the significant different.
ANOVA formula…
This chapter presents the findings, presentation, analysis and interpretation of the data. And, it will answer the research hypothesis so with the research problem sequentially. Thus, the following findings are:
Findings
1.
What would be the blood
platelet counts of the mice models before performing the experiment?
Table2
revealed that the blood platelet counts of the mice models before performing
the experimentation for group A mice are: blue – 162; red – 178; green – 165; yellow – 190; black – 200 while group B mice
are: blue – 232; red – 209; green – 186; yellow – 162; black – 171. It was
gleaned in Table2 that blue 162 and green – 165 mice were below average to the
140 – 410 10³/mm³ bracket to the standard blood platelets of the mice.
Therefore, there are some “factors” that probably affect the low blood platelets
of these mice.
However, despite of their low blood platelets they were able to pass the normal blood platelets of 10³/mm³ of certain mice to qualify for the study. Likewise, their blood platelets counts on the different assigned colors and group vary differently probably to the food and environment they intake.
Table 2
Distribution
of Blood Platelet Counts on the Controlled and Uncontrolled Groups before the
Administration of Aspirin and Tawa – tawa
|
Controlled
Group A |
Uncontrolled
Group B |
||
|
Albino
Mice |
Before
Aspirin & Tawa-tawa |
Albino
Mice |
Before
Aspirin & Tawa-tawa |
|
Forehead Blue |
162 |
Forehead Blue |
232 |
|
Forehead Red |
178 |
Forehead Red |
209 |
|
Forehead Green |
165 |
Forehead Green |
186 |
|
Forehead Yellow |
190 |
Forehead Yellow |
162 |
|
Forehead Black |
200 |
Forehead Black |
171 |
|
Total
mean |
179 |
Total
mean |
192 |
2.
What
would be the blood platelet counts of the mice models after they intake
tawa-tawa tea?
Table3 revealed
that the platelet counts analysis of the blood samples of Group A mice
administered with the tawa-tawa Table 3 revealed increasing from 24 – 57; 32 –
68; 40 – 56; 33 – 64; and 56 – 80 and without the administration of tawa – tawa
is decreasing. Therefore, it should be gleaned that tawa – tawa is effective.
However, the extent or impact of its effectiveness is less.
Table 3
Distribution
of Blood Platelet Counts on the Controlled and Uncontrolled Groups before and
after the Administration of Aspirin and Tawa – tawa
|
Controlled
Group A
|
Uncontrolled
Group B
|
|
|
||||
|
Albino Mice |
Before
Aspirin & Tawa-tawa |
With Tawa-tawa |
Albino
Mice
|
Before
Aspirin & Tawa-tawa |
Without Tawa-tawa |
Difference
of platelet count |
Qualitative
Description |
|
Forehead Blue
|
162
|
57 |
Forehead Blue
|
232 |
27 |
30 |
Fairly Effective |
|
Forehead Red
|
178 |
68 |
Forehead Red
|
209 |
24 |
44
|
Fairly Effective |
|
Forehead Green
|
165 |
56 |
Forehead Green
|
186 |
17 |
39 |
Fairly Effective |
|
Forehead Yellow
|
190 |
64 |
Forehead Yellow
|
162 |
14 |
50 |
Effective |
|
Forehead Black
|
200 |
80 |
Forehead Black
|
171 |
18 |
62 |
Exceptional |
|
Total
mean
|
179 |
65 |
Total
mean
|
192 |
20 |
45 |
Less
Effective |
3. Is
there a significant difference before they intake of tawa-tawa tea and the
blood platelet counts in terms of the following: Control Group; and Uncontrolled
Group
The
hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between tawa-tawa tea and
the blood platelet counts during the administration of tawa – tawa to the
patient victims of thrombocytopenia is rejected because Table4 revealed that
calculated value of the mean 65 platelets is to the Standard deviation of 9.75
and calculated value of the mean 20 platelets is to the Standard deviation of
5.32 are being calculated using the Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that
the F calculated value is 81.98 which has a Critical F – value of 5.32. This
findings corroborates the findings of Valwebs (2012) that there is a
significant difference when tawa – tawa was administered because the computed
value is higher than the critical value. It would mean that the effectiveness
of the tawa – tawa is advisable to the victim of the thrombocytopenia.
Table 4
Distribution
of Blood Platelet Counts on the Controlled and Uncontrolled Groups before and
after the Administration of Aspirin and Tawa – tawa
|
Controlled Group A |
Uncontrolled Group B |
|||||
|
Albino Mice |
Before Aspirin & Tawa-tawa |
With Tawa-tawa |
Albino Mice |
Before Aspirin & Tawa-tawa |
Without Tawa-tawa |
|
|
Total mean
|
179
|
65
|
Total mean
|
192
|
20
|
|
|
Mean SD 65 9.75 20 5.32 F
– Calculated value is 81.98 F
– Critical value is 5.32 Interpretation
- there is a significant difference SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The effectiveness on the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea in increasing the thrombocytosis blood platelet counts. Thus, this chapter discusses the summary, conclusions and recommendation about the study. Summary Thrombocytopenia
is a condition in which you have a low blood platelet count and often occur in dengue fever. The Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea which contains a phenolic
compound, as one may observed that the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea is effectively
promotes thrombocytosis (or thrombocytopenia). With constant intake of Euphorphia
hirta (tawa-tawa) tea and monitoring for platelet counts one may observed the
increased of blood platelet counts. Therefore the effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta
(tawa-tawa) tea is observable through the increasing blood platelet counts from
the victim of the thrombocytopenia.
Conclusions Based
on the finding, the study regarding the effectiveness of Euphorphia hirta
(tawa-tawa) tea in increasing blood platelet counts to the victim of the
thrombocytopenia albino mice recorded the increasing blood platelet counts.
Recommendations Based on the conclusions drawn on
the study, the following recommendations are as follows: Culture the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) by planting
them at the backyard in our house. The community counterpart of the school
would engaged cooperative-based livelihood program whose product is the
production on the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa) tea bag. Capability building in
allowing culturing this plant must be “institutionalized in the Bureau of
agriculture. Further studies must be done to explore and discover the
pytochemicals presence in the Euphorphia hirta (tawa-tawa).
Books Abu AB, Zuraini Z, Lacimanan YL (2011). Sreenivasan Sasidharan Antioxidant activity and phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta L Asian Pacific. J. Trop. Med. Ahmad, Fayaz Sheikh , Beenish Khan, Sarang Bani, Anpurna Kaul, Phalisteen Sultan, Sheikh Abid Ali, N. K. Satti, Saleh A. Bakheet & Sabry M. Attia. (2012). Immunosuppressive effects of Euphorbia hirta in experimental animals. Inflammopharmacology.Uk, A&B Press Kumar S, Malhotra R, Kumar D (2010). Antidiabetic and Free Radicals Scavenging Potential of Euphorbia hirta Flower Extract. India: Indian J. Pharm. Sci. Sandeep BP, Chandrakant SM (2011). Phytochemical investigation and antitumour activity of Euphorbia hirta Linn. Eur.: J. Exp. Biol. Pub. Shih MF, Cheng YD, Shen CR, Cherng JY (2010). A molecular pharmacology study into the anti-inflammatory actions of Euphorbia hirta L. on the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells through selective iNOS protein inhibition. J. Nat. Med. Pub. Vijaya PK, Ramesh K. (2010). Assessment of Immunomodulatory Activity of Euphorbia hirta L. India: Indian J. Pharm. Sci. Yadav
RP & Singh A. (2010). Euphorbious plants used as molluscicides and
piscicides: a review. In: Gupta VK, editor. Comprehensive Bioactive Natural
Products. Houston: Studium Press.
Journals
Al-Mughrabi KI (2013). Antimicrobial activity of extracts from leaves, stems and flowers of Euphorbia macroclada against plant pathogenic fungi. Phytopathologia mediterranea, 42: 245-250 Enerva, Lorna T., Theresita V. Atienza, Zenaida R. Glifonea, Ofelia B. Villamor, Normita A. Villa (2015). Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Property of the Leaf Extract of Euphorbia hirta (Tawa-Tawa). Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2015, 3, 162-170. SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jss http://dx.doi.org /10.4236 /jss.2015.33025 Kumar, S. and Rashrmi D. (2010). Evaluation of antibiotic activity of Euphorbia hirta Linn. In streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. Indian Journal of Natural Product and Resources, 1(2):200-203 Yan
SJ, Ye DW, Wang Y (2011). Ent-Kaurane
Diterpenoids from Euphorbia hirta. Rec. Nat. Prod. 5(4):247-251.
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thrombocytopenia though it is less effective.
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