DEL ROSARIO, Beatrice Camille G.

April 7, 2015
3BIO2 Seat number 13
Biochemistry
Reaction paper on Thesis Poster for Science Week 2015
Thesis title: A New Combination in Pyrostria Comm. Ex Jussieu and Novel Variety of
Uncaria cordata Mer. From Mt. Natib, Bataan with Implications on their Biological
Activities
In the study of angiosperms, the family Rubiaceae is the largest and most diverse
with almost 650 genera and 13,000 species. Asides from its diversity, this family is said
to be one of the most taxonomically problematic due to the many unresolved phylogenies
within the family.
The thesis study that was conducted in Mt. Natib, Orani, Bataan, Philippines led
to discovery of two interesting species in the Rubiaceae family, namely the Pyrostria
Comm. and Uncaria cordata. In process of discovering the new combination in Pyrostria
and U. cordata, molecular and morphological study was conducted, and in addition,
phytochemistry was done on both species to see its possible medicinal effects. As seen in
the results of the study, it was through comparative analysis that concluded the discovery
of the new variety Uncaria cordata var. circa. Lopez, Panaligan and Alejandro var. nov.
As for the new combination of the Pyrostria, molecular and morphological data was used
for the rearrangement of the Canthium Lam. to the genus Pyrostria. For both species, and
the phytochemical analysis showed that phenols, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins,
anthrones, higher alcohols, steroids and essential oils are possible extracts from the leaves
of the plant.
With the study presented, it can be said that morphological analysis alone, nor
molecular analysis alone is not enough to prove a rearrangement or new variety of a
species because both studies are relevant in the study. As seen in the research,
phytochemistry with the leaf extracts can also be done in order to determine the
medicinal effect of the said genus for the disease HIV-AIDS.
Before reading the thesis research and choosing my thesis topic for BIOSEM 101,
the study of angiosperms seemed quite dull and mundane to me but right after doing
further research in this field of science and opening my mind to the possible discoveries
that can be made especially with the family Rubiaceae, my perspective changed and
interest with the unresolved phylogenies within the clade grew. Through this research, I
was able to see the contributions that I can do with my thesis study and research and with
the same process also be able to find the medicinal effect of the assigned genus to my
group also through phytochemistry.