The neurotropic impact of Hornstedtia conoidea (tagbak) methanolic leaf extract in object recognition test with Mus musculus (white mice)

Date of Publication

5-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology major in Medical Biology

Subject Categories

Plant Biology

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Thesis Advisor

Michael B. Ples

Defense Panel Member

Christian Jordan O. Dela Rosa


Abstract (English)

Neurodegeneration, the slow and progressive loss of neurons and axons in the central nervous system, may lead to conditions that limit the ability of individuals to perform complex and even day-to-day tasks. Diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia have gradually increased in number and are affecting most of the world’s population. Despite the available medications, potential treatments should be explored to discover alternative and more effective remedies to such diseases. Hornstedtia conoidea (tagbak) is an endemic plant in the Philippines that is poorly investigated. Its main phytochemical constituents include kaempferol and quercetin which gives it the potential to possess neurotrophic effects similar to Centella asiatica (gotu kola), a plant known for its cognitive-enhancing effects. To screen for the phytochemical compounds of H. conoidea, the obtained concentrated methanolic extract of H. conoidea from macerated and air-dried leaves using a rotary evaporator, was analyzed using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). Eleven putatively identified compounds were present in the sample based on the retention time, mass-to-charge ratio, adducts, and fragmentation patterns, which were supported by spectral databases and literature. Key compounds found included: Flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids, and other polyphenols. It is also significant that the glycosylated derivatives of major key phytochemicals (i.e. quercetin and kaempferol) were detected. To test the potential memory enhancing effects of this plant, the researchers used the freeze dryer after the concentration process using a rotary evaporator. Treatment groups were divided into low and high dose groups with an acute toxicity group with the extracts being mixed in peanut pellets for voluntary ingestion by the mice subjects. A pre-extracted form of C. asiaitca was used as the positive control. Mice were subjected to the object recognition test (ORT) for 3 days after ingestion of the treatments to examine the plant’s effects on their memory and retention of knowledge. The results showed that the novel exploration time of the mice subjects in the low and high dose, and positive control group were similar but no statistical significance was observed across all treatment groups (p = 0.29). Discrimination indices of the groups were also compared using One-Way ANOVA but also showed no statistical significance (p = 0.08) despite post-hoc results of the treatment groups showing varying differences compared to each control. These findings still support the potential of H. conoidea as a neurotrophic agent due to the observed positive trends of the analysis. A larger sample size and more controlled experimental conditions may further give valuable and more accurate insights on the potential role of the plant in neurodegeneration.

Abstract Format

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Abstract (Filipino)

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Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Medicinal plants; Mice as laboratory animals; Plant extracts

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Embargo Period

6-6-2025

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