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The leaves of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. have been reported to have ethnomedicinal uses such as wound healing, skin itching or dermatitis, and others. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate its biological properties, whether ethanolic leaf extract of G. sepium (Jacq.) Walp. has antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and whether these are reflected in the presence of antimicrobial and antioxidant phytochemicals in the extract. Antimicrobial properties using the agar well-diffusion method showed inhibition against bacterial organism Bacillus subtilis and fungus Candida albicans. The antioxidant activity evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) photometric assay showed that G. sepium (Jacq.) Walp. is a medium antioxidant with an IC50 of 144 ppm. Phytochemicals present in the extract showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins, which are known as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Evaluation of the bioactive compounds in the extract using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry identified twenty-two (22) possible bioactive compounds. Of these, ten (10) were found to be known antimicrobials, while eight (8) compounds were found to be known antioxidants based on published literature. This study has shown support to the ethnomedicinal uses of the leaves of G. sepium (Jacq.) Walp. as an antimicrobial and antioxidant plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bark and wood of sapwood, Dracontomelon dao (Anacardiaceae) are used in traditional medicine to treat several health problems including infections, inflammations, and tumors. This study was therefore conducted to provide some information on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cellular metabolic activities of the ethanolic extract of the bark and wood of D. dao. The phytochemical components were assessed to evaluate whether the extract contains the presence of phytochemicals that are considered antioxidants. GCMS analysis was done to identify the compounds present and evaluate their functions through data mining. Antimicrobial activity evaluated using agar well diffusion method showed inhibition of the extract against the grampositive and gram-negative bacteria Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and the two disease-causing species of fungi, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method showed strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 <<<<5 ppm comparable to the antioxidant activity of Vitamin C. Cytotoxic activity of the extract evaluated using trypan blue exclusion test showed low survival of normal human lymphocytes with only 20.3% live cells remaining after and being subjected to 1 mg/ml of the extract. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins which are known as antimicrobial and antioxidants. Identification of the bioactive compounds in the extract using GCMS revealed a total of 54 compounds. Twenty-one of these compounds have antimicrobial properties while 15 of these compounds have antioxidant properties based on published literature. Other compounds also suggest biological activities other than antimicrobial and antioxidant that also indicate potential biomedical applications. The information from the results in this study supports the traditional medicinal claims of D. dao have scientific bases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most popular plants used as a spice by the Maranao Muslims of Marawi City is a white variety of Allium ampeloprasum. This plant is not only popular for the preparation of a variety of dishes but also for the treatment of common infections. This study was conducted to determine the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of ethanolic extracts of the plant variety. Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and steroids were the phytochemicals that were detected in the samples, while tannins, cyanogenic glycosides and anthraquinones were absent. The plant extract showed strong antioxidant activity based on DPPH assay. The antimicrobial assay showed no inhibition of growth of P. aeruginosa UPCC1244 and B. subtilis UPCC1295 but strong inhibition of E. coli UPCC1195, K. pneumoniae UPCC1360, S. typhimurium UPCC1368 and S. aureus UPCC1142. GCMS analysis showed the presence of compounds with biological properties. This study, therefore, indicated that the plant has potential medicinal and antimicrobial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is all about how integral Mindanao is to the Philippines. As such, Mindanao studies should not only be at the periphery of Philippine studies. The recent developments in Mindanao should be enough reason for scholars to devote significant amount of their attention to the region. After all, the peace processes in Mindanao, both vertical and horizontal, have generated a constellation of issues and questions for them to delve and study. More critically, this paper interrogates the gaps in Mindanao and Philippine studies, arguing that scholars can contribute to the success of the peace processes not only by engaging in research but also by initiating extension activities with research components. Here, I will discuss, as an example, initiatives from the academe (e.g., the partnership on peacebuilding between the University of Hawaii and Mindanao State University, under the aegis of the United States Institute of Peace) that complements the vertical peace process. Finally, the paper is an invitation for scholars to help steer the boat of Philippine Studies towards the direction of peace-building by writing articles on Mindanao using a peace lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]