Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V (Bicol)
City Schools Division of Ligao
LIGAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Ligao City

RESEARCH PROPOSAL CONCEPT PAPER

Proposed Research Title:

Screening for anti-hypercholesterolemia potential properties of Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod
Husk Nitric Acid- mediated extract on Hypercholesterolemia- induced Sprague Dawley rats

Area of Interest:
This study is anchored on the drug discovery and development thrust included in the
Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HRNDA) of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST). Specifically, it targets to contribute to the validation of
standard processes for various stages of drug discovery and development from medicinal plants.

Background of the Study

The numbers of Filipinos with high cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia has been
increasing into an alarming level. According to a study conducted by FNRI (2013), Bicol region
has the highest number of cases of people with high cholesterol level at 67.1 percent compared to
other regions. Hypercholesterolemia is the increase of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Too much
cholesterol can cause coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
One of the most common plant in the Philippines is the Cacao Plant (Theobroma cacao).
It is the primary source of cocoa beans which is being used in the food industries. Scientist also
discovered that Cacao have different medicinal purposes. It has physiochemical and
antimicrobial properties.
The researchers wanted to find alternative medicine that can lower the blood cholesterol.
The researcher will be utilizing the Cacao’s pod husk, which as of now have no use, in lowering
the blood cholesterol. The researchers would want to know if Cacao’s pod husk will be effective
in decreasing the blood cholesterol.

Statement of the Problem

The study generally aims to screen the anti-hypercholesterolemia potential of Cacao
(Theobroma cacao) pod husk Nitric Acid-mediated extract. Specifically, the study aims to
answer the following questions:
1. Is there a significant decrease in the total cholesterol level of the Hypercholesterolemia-
induced Sprague Dawley using the Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husk Nitric Acid-
mediated extract?

Research Design, Methods, and Procedures

The study will be utilizing experimental research design. It will be employed in the study
to determine the causality between the anti-hypercholesterolemia property of Cacao pod husk
extract and its effect on Hypercholesterolemia-induced Sprague Dawley Rats. The pectin
extracts from hot nitric acid extraction of Cacao pod husks to be evaluated for an anti-
hypercholesterolemia activity in Hypercholesterolemia-induced Sprague Dawley rats. A
comparative analysis will be done between the action of Cacao pod husk extract and a known
hyperlipidemia drug Simvastatin. The results of the study will be expressed in mean (+-)
Standard Error and data will be analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA).
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region V (Bicol)
City Schools Division of Ligao
LIGAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Ligao City

Scope and Limitation

This study will only focus screening for anti-hypercholesterolemia potential properties of
Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husk Nitric Acid- mediated extract on Hypercholesterolemia-
induced Sprague Dawley rats. The Sprague Dawley rats will follow Hypercholesterolemia-
induced diet and it will be in a span of 1 month. After the one-month Hypercholesterolemia-
induced diet, the rats will be induced by the Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husk Nitric Acid-
mediated extract for two weeks and the controlled group will be treated with Simvastatin
simultaneously, the researchers will be comparing the laboratory test results of blood cholesterol
levels the experimental and controlled group. As a further matter, the time it takes to finish the
study including the collection, identification and laboratory work is calculated to be at least two
months. 

References
1. Australian Government (2018). Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from https://apvma.gov.au/taxonomy/term/17206
2. Adi-Dako, Kwabena, Manso, F., Sasu, Clement, Mike, & Mariam EL. (2016).
Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Cocoa Pod Husk Pectin Intended as a
Versatile Pharmaceutical Excipient and Nutraceutical. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jphar/2016/7608693/
3. Thakur, B. R., Singh, R. K., & Handa, A. K. (1997). Chemistry and uses of pectin--a
review. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9067088
4. Priyangini, F., Walde, S. G., & Chidambaram, R. (2018). Extraction optimization of
pectin from cocoa pod husks (Theobroma cacao L.) with ascorbic acid using response
surface methodology. Carbohydrate Polymers, 202, 497-503.
5. Mayo Clinic (2019). High cholesterol. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-
causes/syc-20350800
6. Paim, R. T., Benjamin, S. R., Rondina, D., Marques, M. M., Viana, D. D., Gonzaga, M.
L., . . . Guedes, M. I. (2017). Antihypercholesterolemic Effects of Fruit Aqueous Extract
of Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore in Mice Diet-Induced
Hypercholesterolemia. Retrieved July 16, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5610856/

Prepared by: Maria Kyla P. Teodoro

Date Submitted: July 19, 2019