De La Salle Health Sciences Institute

College of Nursing and School of Midwifery

City of Dasmarias, Cavite, Philippines

Akapulko Ointment
WRITTEN REPORT

Submitted by:
Avanzado, Maristela
Cabansag, Nescel
Delfin, Camille
Hayudini, Pinky
Mendoza, Prestine James
Orcullo, Paolo
Oreo, Jeremy
BSN 2-2

Submitted on:
September 30, 2014

Akapulko (Cassia alata)

Also known as:

bayabas-bayabasan,kapurko, katanda, katandang aso, pakagonkon, sonting (Tag.);
andadasi, andadasi-a-dakdakel, andadasi-bugbugtong (Ilk.); adadisi (Ting.); ancharasi
(Ig.); andalan (Sul.); bayabasin, bikas-bikas (Bik., Tag., Bis.,); kasitas (Bik., Bis.);
sunting, palo china (Bis.); pakayomkom kastila (Pamp.); ringworm bush or shrub (Engl.),
Acapulco (Engl)
Akapulko is used as herbal medicine and is a shrub that grows wild in the tropical
climate of Philippines. Akapulko is widely used in the Philippines as herbal medicine.
The akapulko leaves contain chrysophanic acid, a fungicide that is used to treat fungal
infections, like ringworms, scabies and eczema. Akapulko leaves are also known to be
sudorific, diuretic and purgative, used to treat intestinal problems including intestinal
parasites. Akapulko is also used as herbal medicine to treat bronchitis and asthma.
Because of Akapulkos anti-fungal properties, it is a common ingredient in soaps,
shampoos, and lotions in the Philippines. The Philippine Council for Health Research
and Development (PCHRD) has helped develop the technology for an akapulko herbal
medicine lotion.
Akapulko or Acapulco in English is a shrub found throughout the Philippines. It is
known under various names in different regions in the country. Locals call the plant
katanda, andadasi, and palochina in Tagalog, Ilocos and in the Visayas regions,
respectively. The shrub belongs to the family of Leguminosae, and grows about one to
two meters tall.
Akapulko is an erect, shrubby legume with dark green compound leaves.
Akapulko leaves have orange rachis that has 16-28 leaflets. Akapulko produces an axis
of golden yellow flowers that has 4-winged pods containing 50-60 flattened, triangular
seeds. Akapulko flowers are enclosed by yellow-orange bracts that are later shed in
time.

Properties
Saponin acts as a laxative and expels intestinal parasites.
Its fungicide property derives from chrysophanic acid.
Plant considered alterative, abortifacient, aperient, purgative, sudorific,
hydragogue, diuretic, vermifuge.

Ingredients:

Akapulko leaves

2 pcs. Candles (Esperma No.5)

1 glass of Cooking Oil

Clean container

Kitchen utensils (knife, strainer, chopping board, frying pan)

To prepare an Akapulko herbal ointment prepare and follow these instructions.

Preparation of Akapulko Herbal Ointment
1. Clean the container

2. Wash fresh leaves of Akapulko thoroughly and cut in small pieces.

3. Add one glass of cooking oil to one glass of cut fresh leaves.

4. Fry until crispy.

5. Remove from the heat; strain.

6. Cut 2 white candles (Esperma No. 5) into small pieces.

7.

In a frying pan, pour the strained oil

together with the candle pieces; stir
until the candle has melted.

8. Pour the mixture into a clean container; cover when cool.

8.Apply the Akapulko herbal ointment to affected areas twice daily.

Final Product

Cleaning the container.-Pinky

Washing the leaves.-Paolo
Cutting the leaves.-Nescel
Frying the leaves.-Mariz
Straining the akapulko leaves.-Jeremy
Cooking the oil, candle, and akapulko leaves.- Camille
Pouring.- Prestine

INDICATIONS

Akapulko is used as herbal medicine for the following skin diseases

Tinea infections,

insect bites,

ringworms,

eczema,

scabies and

itchiness.

IMPORTANCE:
Antifungal: (1) Crude ethanol and aqueous extract of Cassia alata
(GELENGGANG BESAR) leaves and bark were tested for antifungal activity in vitro
against three fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Microsporum canis and Candida albicans.
The study showed the C. alata to be effective against C. albicans, confirming its
potential as a natural source of antifungal remedy. (2) Ethanolic extract of leaves
showed potent activity against dermatophytes without effect on C albicans, A fumigatus
or non-dermatophytes. (3) Study yielded an anthraquinone high-yielding Senna alata
leaf extract with antifungal activity against dermatophytes Tricophyton rubrum, T
mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. (3) Study of ethanolic extract of CA leaves
showed high activity against various species of dermatophytic fungi but low activity
against non-dermatophytic fungi. (4) In a study using methanolic, ethanolic and
petroleum ether extracts to screen for phytochemicals, antibacterial and antifungal
activities, the methanolic extract showed the highest activity.
Analgesic: (1) Ethanol and hexane extract of Senna alata leaves showed
analgesic effect in mice. (2) Study of leaf extract of C. alata in mice showed analgesic
activity. Fifty milligrams of kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside was equivalent to 100 mg of the
extract.
Phytochemistry / Antimicrobial Activity: (1) Nigerian studies showed activity
of the methanol leaf extract on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia
coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris. Secondary metabolites were identified
(saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds, eugenol, glycosides and anthraquinones). (2)
Study of methanolic extracts of FLOWERS, leaves, stem and root barks of CA showed
a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, with the flower extract the most effective.

 Antiseptic Soap: A Nigerian study on Cassia alata-based soap exhibited high

antimicrobial potency against Staph aureus, the organism most widely encountered and
undesirable of the normal skin flora. At a reduction time of 5 mins, the herbal soap made
a 94.78% reduction of the microbial load, findings of economic, industrial and medical
significance. (4)
Antiinflammatory: (1) Leaf extract of S. alata showed antiinflammatory activity
through inhibition of histamine secretion. (2) Antiinflammatory activity of heat-treated CA
leaf extract and kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside (K3G), an abundant flavonoid glycoside
isolated from CA were compared with the activities of sun-dried CA leaf extract. Both
extracts exhibited strong inhibitory effects on Concanavalin A-induced histamine release
from rat peritoneal exudate.
Antibacterial: Study showed the water extract of leaves to have more portent
antibacterial activity than the ethanol extract against S. aureus.
Purgative Effect: Study showed Cassia alata fresh leaves showed significant
purgative efficacy on volume and frequency compared to placebo. (8)
Hematologic & Toxicity Effects: Study of aqueous leaf extract in albino
showed significant dose-dependent decreases in hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte
counts with emaciation, loss of appetite and weight loss as signs of toxicity.
Phytochemistry & Antibacterial Activity of Senna alata FLOWER: Study of
crude plant extracts yielded steroids, anthraquinone glycosides, volatile oils and tannins
with good inhibitory activity against S aureus, S faecalis, B subtilis among others. (10)
Antimicrobial: Study of crude ethanol and water extract of leaves and barks
from CA showed concentration-dependent activity against C albicans. The water extract
showed antibacterial activity against S aureus.
Studies: Hexane (H), chloroform (C), ethylacetate (EA) extracts of CA leaves
showed analgesic (H), antiinflammatory (H/EA), antimutagenic (C), antimicrobial (H/EA),
hypoglycemic activities (EA). All extracts effected a decrease in motor activity,
enophthalmos, hyperemia, micturition and diarrhea. (14)
Constipation Treatment: Leaves have been claimed effective as a laxative,
presumed to be due to anthraquinones. In a study testing the efficacy of CA leaves for
TREATMENT OF CONSTIPATIONcompared to placebo, the differences were
statistically highly significant. Minimal side effects nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain
and diarrhea were noted in 16-25 percent of patients. (15)
Hepatoprotective / Paracetamol / Leaves: An ALCOHOLIC extract study of
dried leaves of Cassia alata on paracetamol-induced hepatic injury in albino rats

showed hepatoprotective activity that is attributed to the flavonoids present in the

leaves. (18)
Hepatoprotective / Carbon Tetrachloride: Study of crude extracts of petals of
the plant showed hepatoprotective activity in rats with CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. The
effect was attributed to anthocyanin present in the extract. (25)
Weight-Lowering Effect / Hypolipidemic: Study showed C. fistula and S.
alata significant and effectively reduced the body weight and weight of parametrial fat in
mice due to their tannin contents. Both plants present as potential sources of antiobesity and hypolipidemic compounds. (20)
Pityriasis: A 10-year human study indicates the leaf extract of Cassia alata can
be reliably used as a HERBAL MEDICINE to treat Pityriasis versicolor. The leaf extract
has no side-effects. (21)
In-vitro Antifungal Activity: Study of crude stem bark extract on clinical test
dermatophytes showed marked antifungal effects on M. canslaslomyces, T verrucosum,
T mentagrophytes and E. floccosum. The extract was fungicidal for all tested
dermatophytes.
Antifungal Activity / Leaves: Study evaluated a crude leaf extract on clinical
test Dermatophytes. Results showed the leaf exudates and ethanol extract of leaf
exhibited marked antifungal effects on Microsporum canis, Trichophyton jirrucosum,
Tricophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton jllorcosum. Phytochemical analysis
yielded alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthracionones and carbohydrates.
Precaution:
Apply thinly on affected skin. Improvement will be noticed after 2 to 3 weeks of
treatment.
No known Side effects
Adverse Reaction:
Hypersensitivity reaction of the skin which results to a burning sensation, blister
formation or excoriations.
Contraindications:
The sennosides are contraindicated in cases of obstruction,acute intestinal
inflammation, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, and abdominal pain of unknown origin.

References:
http://www.agripinoy.net/medicinal-plants-akapulko-acapulco-cassia-alata.html
http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/articles/akapulko1.htm
http://plantfruitstreesmedicineherbal.blogspot.com/2012/09/pakayungkong-or-acapulkotree-akapulko.html