Chemical Composition, in vitro

Evaluation of Antibacterial, and

Cytotoxicity Activities of Ashitaba
(Angelica Keiskei)

Chapter I

PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Little is known about the world of Herbal Medicine. Of all the plant species in the world,

only five percent (5%) have been catalogued. Of that five percent that have been catalogued, a full

one quarter (1/4) or twenty – five percent (25%) have medicinal qualities. There is the example of

Taxol, an anti-uterine cancer drug that is derived from the bark of the Yu tree.

Currently the use of herbal medicine is becoming recognized and appreciated than it was

before. Advances and developments in technology made it more convenient and easy for the

researchers to identify and analyse the therapeutic properties of plant material that can be valuable

in modern medicine.

Another shining example of a newly discovered herbal medicine is ASHITABA. Its name

literally translates to Japanese as "Early Growth" or "Tomorrow’s Leaf". It was named so because

of its ability to grow very fast. Hundreds of essential Ashitaba health benefits are known today,

but most of these claims needs more scientific proof. However, some of the “known” benefits that
I mentioned earlier do have certain types of clinical studies that are dependable enough to believe

that this plant is indeed beneficial to health.

Ashitaba ( Angelic Keiskeis ) is a plant indigenous in Japan. This plant has been stated in

many ancient Japanese medical writings. It is believed that this plant is suitable for people lifestyle

and metabolism disease.

Our approach involves the collection, identification, extraction and careful evaluation of

Ashitaba plant—which increased its popularity recently in some various places.

Statement of the Problem

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1.Is there a significant difference between Ashitaba and other antibacterial?

2.What is/are the active component/s Ashitaba have that others don’t have?

Statement of the Hypothesis

This study attempts to test the following hypothesis:

1.There is no significant difference between Ashitaba and other antibacterial.

2.There is a significant difference between Ashitaba and other antibacterial.

3.There is no active component in Ashitaba that others don’t have.

4.There is a active component in Ashitaba that others don’t have.

Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to the everyone. The results of this study will give them

additional information to share to their constituents concerning the effects of Ashitava plant. This

study will also benefit patients or citizens suffering from different diseases. The results of the study

will increase their awareness to limit the intake of commercial drugs that may further damage the

liver.

Statement of the Objectives:

This study is all about the chemical constituents, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity activities

of Ashitaba. Although there are already numerous amount of studies regarding the said activities

of the plant, I still decided to do the research because:

1) I wanted prove this ourselves and not base on other research.

2) Because we know little about this herb.

3) Because I wanted to discover a cure to most of the problems occurring and

reoccurring problems around the world.

4) Because I want to help those people those who are suffering from these problems.

5) And lastly, we want to help those people who are doing research about this plant

and these problems.

Scope and Delimitation

Definition of Terms

Ashitaba – also known tomorrow leaf, is a cold hardy perennial plant from the angelica genus with

an average growth height of 50–120 cm.

In Vitro – performed or taking place in a test tube, culture dish, or elsewhere outside a living

organism.

Cytotoxicity – Toxic cells, cell-toxic, cell killing. Any agent or process that kills cells.

Cemotheraphy and radiotheraphy are form of cytotoxic theraphy. They kill cells.

Antibacterial – Type of antimicrobial drug used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial

infections.
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents the related literature and studies after the thorough and in-depth

search done by the researcher. These resources gathered served as a valuable lead in the analysis

and understanding if information gathered.

Related Literature

Ashitaba

Angelica keiskei Koidzumi, or ashitaba, is a popular botanical medicine in Japan

containing diverse bioactive components including prenylated chalcones, linear and angular

coumarins, and flavanones. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of ashitaba

metabolites and their biological activities to prioritize future studies. Ashitaba is purported to

possess cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and

antimicrobial properties. Although many in vitro studies have been conducted on ashitaba's

chemical constituents, the in vivo efficacy and clinical relevance of this plant has yet to be

confirmed for most of these activities. Here we describe the chemical composition of ashitaba and

present the pharmacological effects of this botanical as supported by the current literature. The

experimental results demonstrate promise for the medical use of ashitaba, but considerable work

needs to be done to understand the mechanisms of action of its metabolites. Additionally, in vivo

and clinical trials as well as additional studies on less abundant bioactive compounds are

warranted.
Antibacterial

According to study of Dr. Kimie Baba, Some heterocyclic chalcones derivatives presented

good anti-microbial activities against Gram-positive bacteria.

Ashitaba shows evidence of strong antibacterial action. A study conducted by The

Pharmaceutical Society of Japan in 1999 indicated that two chalcones, xanthoangelol (I) and 4-

hydroxyderricin (II), isolated from the root of Angelica keiskei koidzumi (Umbelliferae) showed

antibacterial activity against gram-positive pathogenic bacteria.

The Kangweon National University in Korea evaluated the pharmacological activities of

nine Umbelliferae plants. Angelica keiskei was selected and its restoring activity against

antimicrobial activity were tested and compared. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

(MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in humans. It is also called oxacillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA).

In a study published in 2008 in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, the

authors discovered 2 known chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, in the extract of S.

crispa, which have been previously isolated from the plant Angelica keiskei. The purpose of the

study was to screen for compounds that inhibit MRSA growth. These compounds showed anti-

MRSA activity. The result study indicates the possibility that S. crispa might be a promising source

for the production of chalcones, in addition to the plant Angelica keiskei.

 Chapter III

Methodology

Research Design

The experimental method is a systematic, and scientific approach to research in which the

researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measure any change in other

variables.

Reaserch Locale

The study was carried out in the Saint Mary’s University High School. It is in this place

where researcher identified to give the data needed to provide the information to satisfy the

objectives of the study.

Research instruments

The researcher, upon acquiring necessary information from documentary, literary browse

reviews based on the specific objectives of the study. The handouts that the instructor gave also

help the researcher to know the specific part of its research.

Ashitaba Extraction

Procedure