IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HEALTH, ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES: A PERSPECTIVE VIEW
Janet M. Luistro
Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing COVID-19 originated in Wuhan City, China and evidently has natural animal origin in bat population [1]. The transmission to humans of the virus, which is the source of pandemic since 2019, is more likely through another animal species that is in close contact to humans. Such a point of introduction to human population has started the outbreak. The viral infection has reached the Philippines in January 2020; it was carried and transmitted by the first confirmed COVID-19 case, a Chinese national who arrived from Wuhan, China [2]. After a month of no reported case, the first local transmission of COVID-19 was confirmed in a 48-year old Filipino man who lives in Taguig and with travel history in Japan, he eventually recovered from the virus. Since then, the virus spread so fast in the country, it became the second country with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic in March 2020 [1] as the disease has globally affected the health of people and displaced many nations’ economic activities, and consequently, the quarantine measures indirectly changed the world’s environment. Hence, this article aims to provide awareness and information about COVID-19’s impact and implications on health, economic activity and the environment.
Keywords: COVID-19, health, economy, environment, COVID-19 impact
Full paper
MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AGAINST Streptococcus pneumoniae: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Albert John O. Huet1, Lawrence Andrei V. Javier1, Sean Patrick C. Ledesma1, Johnny A. Ching2
1Student Researchers, 2Faculty, Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This systematic review gathered different studies on medicinal plants that have been found to have antimicrobial effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common causal agent for community-acquired pneumonia. EBSCO Host, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed were used to retrieve published articles from 2000-2020. A total of 32 published articles met the eligibility criteria and were evaluated. A total of 58 plants belonging to 28 families have been evaluated and shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity against S. pneumoniae worldwide. Among the medicinal plants, the most used family against the bacteria is the Asteraceae family (13.8%) followed by Lamiaceae (12.1%). The most used substance or plant parts were the leaves (24.7%) followed by the aerial parts (20.5%) and whole plant (16.4%). Methanol extracts from the fruits of Dialium angolense and essential oil from the leaves of Origanum vulgare exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against S. pneumonia with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 0.0038 mg/mL and 0.005 mg/mL, respectively. Based on the provided data, further study is recommended on the phytochemical components, toxicity, in vivo effects, and the mechanism of action of each plant. The plants given could potentially be used to develop an effective drug against pneumonia and, subsequently, against other diseases caused by S. pneumoniae.
Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, herbal medicine, antimicrobial, antibacterial, medicinal plants
Full paper
ANTI-PARASITIC POTENTIAL OF COMMONLY FOUND PLANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES: A MINI REVIEW
Cristina Cabanacan-Salibay1,2, Hazel Anne Luyon-Tabo1, Jonnacar Simon-San Sebastian1
1Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
2Graduate Studies Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This review led to the evaluation of the anti-parasitic potentials of commonly found plants from the Philippines. This aimed to provide an up-to-date review on the pharmacological properties of these plants that may lead to the development of anti-parasitic drugs. Twelve articles from 2000 to 2019 were included for review, which extracted the following data: plant species, scientific name, common name, plant structure use for extraction, standard procedure used, parasite used and the developmental stage, the type of test used and the significant result. Twelve common plants in the Philippines have been identified to possess antiparasitic activities, namely Garcinia mangostana, Sesbania grandiflora, Carica papaya, Sandoricum koetjape, Annona muricata, Areca catechu, Moringa oleifera, Azadirachta indica, Tamarindus indica, Alocasia macrorrhiza, Momordica charantia and Mimosa pudica. The leaves and seeds are generally tested for crude extraction, followed by fruits and their parts, and peel, rhizomes or flowers. The efficacy of the plant extracts was mostly tested in Ascaris suum eggs by ovicidal effect/inhibitory effect, and adult fluke. Among the plant extracts that showed notable anti-parasitic effects were G. mangostana, A. macrorrhiza, M. pudica and A.muricata which exceeded the efficacy of a known anthelminthic drug. The extracts of S. grandiflora, S. koetjape, M. oleifera seed and T. indica have comparable anti-parasitic effect with available drug while Momordica charantia showed low anti-parasitic efficacy, and C. papaya did not exhibit an ovicidal effect. A. catechu exhibited comparable effect with the commercial drug against adult fluke but A. indica has less potency. Based on the literature reviewed, except for C. papaya, all other plants manifested anti-parasitic potentials against A. suum. The presence of bioactive components in these plants makes them potential sources of anti-parasitic agent.
Keywords: Medicinal plant, traditional medicine, Nematodes, pharmacognosy, protozoan
Full Paper
EMERGING POLLUTANTS IN AIR: THEIR POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF MUNTINLUPA CITY
Darylle Cesar G. Hilapo1,2,3 and Cristina C. Salibay2,4
1STEM Department, Muntinlupa National High School – Senior High School, Muntilupa
2Graduate Studies Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
3Pamantasan ng Lungsond ng Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa City
4Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
ABSTRACT
School premises are usually near main roads with high proximity among residential areas or even industrial areas that put high health risks to students and personnel in school compounds. Ambient air quality and contaminant monitoring is essential among schools. The study conducted an assessment for ambient air quality, heavy metal and bioaerosol fungi in nine (9) most populous public schools in the City of Muntinlupa. Two schools were found to have levels of particulate matters beyond the standard limit. Furthermore, dust samples of the schools were all found to have high cadmium and mercury content. Six (6) genera of bioaerosol fungi were also found among the school common grounds that can incur facilitated infection among immunocompromised students and personnel. High toxicological and microbial contaminations among schools that may pose high health risks were present and may eventually lead to health problems.
Keywords: Ambient air quality, bioaerosol fungi, child health, environmental health, heavy metal in dusts, public health, ecotoxicology
Full paper
LASALIKSIK
Lasaliksik is a peer-reviewed journal published by the University Research Office of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) and serves as the University’s official publication for Science and Mathematics. The title of the journal highlights the Filipino word “saliksik” which translates to “to search/ research” and thus the journal’s goal of disseminating newly discovered knowledge as well as developments and extended results of scientific studies. More importantly, the journal aims to provide an academic platform for researchers to share their scholarly works and research endeavors in various disciplines of science and mathematics, both pure and applied.
Lasaliksik accepts original full articles, expository studies, research notes, review articles and perspectives for review and releases one volume per year having two issues.
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Cristina C. Salibay (Biology, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas)
Associate Editor
Dr. Ma. Theresa Christine C. Valdez (Mathematics, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas)
Members
Dr. Edwin A. Balila (Statistics, Adventist University of the Philippines)
Dr. Drexel H. Camacho (Chemistry, De La Salle University, Manila)
Dr. Rubie M. Causaren (Animal Science, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas)
Dr. Melanie M. Guiang (Plant Science, Central Mindanao University)
Dr. Janet M. Luistro (Ecotoxicology, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas)
Dr. Maria Carla F. Manzano (Physics, De La Salle University Manila)
Dr. Veeranoot Nissapatorn (Microbio and Parasitology, Walailak University Thailand)
Dr. Marie Christine M. Obusan (Environmental Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman)
Dr. Hanna Arini Parhusip (Applied Mathematics, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Indonesia)
Dr. Maria de Lourdes Gomes Periera (Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Aviero, Portugal)
Dr. Elizabeth B. Villa (Criminology, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas)
Dr. Julieta Z. Dungca (Centro Escolar University)
Editorial Assistant
Mr. Jaime Zeus C. Agustin (Research Communication, Dissemination and Utilization Coordinator, University Research Office, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas)