Ferlien May Baula | Ma. Eva C. San Juan | Lyzza Marizz L. Bermudez | Jean L. Cabadonga | Jen Jen I. Camon | Nhadyne C. Faller | Gladys B. Galicia | Guille Marri B. Gatab | Pauline Joy A. Lagdamin | Arianne Lorraine P. Magbanua
One of the leading causes of significant debility among Filipinos is Rheumatoid Arthritis. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. The available medication is for symptom control and slowing the progression of the disease. The use of hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata) could be an inexpensive alternative if proven to be effective. The primary goal of the study was to conduct a bioassay and detect anti-inflammatory properties using C. odorata fresh and dry extracts. Alkaloids and flavonoids were identified and the presence of chromophores specifically carbonyl compounds indicative of functional groups found in flavonoids were detected using UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The Acute Oral Toxicity 423 test showed that at the highest dose, 2000 mg, moderate toxicity was exhibited while Approximate Effective Dose was observed at 19.90 mg/ kg and 79.22 mg/kg corresponding with the highest decrease in paw thickness for the fresh and dried extracts, respectively. The bioassay had four arms namely positive control (ibuprofen), negative control (plain suspension), dried and fresh formulated suspensions. Results show that the highest degree of decreased paw thickness was 6 hours after administration. The negative control was expectedly with the least result. Statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference among the average decrease of paw thickness among the four groups. The post-hoc analysis showed that the positive control had the highest decreasing capacity. There was also a significant difference between the fresh and dried extracts. Lastly, the microbial assay of fresh and dried hagonoy suspensions had no traces of microbes.