INTRODUCTION

Cancer is a disease in which an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells occurs. According

to World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and

was responsible for 8.8 million deaths as of 2015. Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due

to five leading behavioral and dietary risks such as high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable

intake, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol intake.

There are many types of cancer such as lung cancer, breast cancer, cervix cancer, liver

cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, and cancer of the blood, commonly known

as leukemia. Though nowadays, health professionals can offer chemotherapies and surgeries to

cancer patients, the said treatments are quite expensive. People who are financially capacitated can

find ways to mitigate the complications of the disease, they may be cured, and prolong their lives.

While those who are in low and middle-income families who could not afford medication will

suffer the pain of the disease, and turn to alternative treatments.

However, due to the growing incidence of cancer worldwide, herbal medicines are getting

popular as an alternative way in the treatment of the disease. As years pass by, this practice has

been a part of the healing cultures particularly in the Philippines, where many people suffer from

poverty. According to C. Romagosa in 2016, there are numerous plant species which are

considered to be alternative medicines that can be used to treat cancer. And the researchers wants

to test Corazon De Maria (Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent) if there’s a cytotoxic property that is

similar to the chemotherapy effects.

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 Corazon De Maria (Caladium Bicolor (Aiton) Vent) are low growing foliage plants that

only grow up to 25in (60cm) tall, with large leaves growing up to 18 inches (45 cm) long. The

arrow or heart shaped decorative leaves are very thin and have a papery texture. These leaves grow

up from the tuber buried in the soil on quite thin stems. Some of the eye catching color mixtures

are impressive, such as the lord derby that displays green and pink leaves with green veins and the

candidum with white leaves displaying prominent green veins.

The plant has already been used in different studies for it contains some several useful

properties. Corazon De Maria leaves were reportedly used for vermifuge and purgative and are

externally used for furunculosis. They are also used as an antiseptic, anti-tumor, emetic, laxative

and can also use to treat sore throats, constipations, catarrh, wounds, sores and toothaches.

Decoction of tubers and leaves are used for vaginal inflammation; crushed bulbs are applied to the

face for face paralysis; decoction of leaves are also used for external cattle festers caused by

worms.

Teratogens are agents that cause growth and development abnormalities of an organism

and/or malformation in the developing embryos. However, because teratogens are anticancer

agents and can be used as anticancer drugs, teratogenicity testing is a desirable property. (Rich

Milton Dulay et al, 2017)

Teratogenic assay using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo was considered as a reliable model

of human cancers and have already been used in anti-cancer activities. (Advanced Environmental

Biology., 9 (18), 91-96, 2015). This is also used in various toxicological research such as

environmental toxicity dealing with the harmful effects of chemical pollutants and evaluation of

new toxic compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. (R. Dulay, 2014)

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 Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has recently developed for the study of vertebrate development

and genetic research as a model organism. Being a vertebrate, the embryotoxic and teratogenic

effects of substances may be generalized to higher vertebrates such as humans. (Halili et al, 2011)

Because of its very reliable and important tool due to its very rapid developmental process, high

fecundity, transparency, easy maintenance in the laboratory, accessible to experimental

manipulation and similarity to the embryonic development of higher form of vertebrates, zebrafish

(D. rerio) can be used as the animal model. (CMR. Romagosa, 2016)

This study aims to assess the embryotoxicity and teratogenic activity of Corazon De Maria

(Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent) leaves on zebrafish (D. rerio) embryo and provide pieces of

evidence that the plant can contribute in the medical field by further studies.

Statement of the Problem

This study entitled “The Cytotoxicity and Teratogenic Activity of Corazon De Maria

(Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent) Leaf Extracts Using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryo ” aims to

determine the following objectives:

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 1. Determine the mean percentage of the mortality of zebrafish after 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours

of exposure in different concentrations of C. bicolor (Aiton) Vent leaf extracts.

2. Describe the percentage growth retardation of embryos treated with the different

concentrations of C. bicolor (Aiton) Vent at 48 hours post treatment applications.

3. To find out the percentage of the number of cells in the different stages of mitosis as judged

by the degree of chromosome condensation, nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD), and

chromosome arrangement relative to spindle microtubules.

Hypotheses

1. Ho: There is no significant difference between the mean percentage of the mortality of
zebrafish after different hours of exposure in different concentrations of C. bicolor
(Aiton) Vent leaf extracts.
Ha: There is a significant difference between the mean percentage of the mortality of
zebrafish after different hours of exposure in different concentrations of C. bicolor
(Aiton) Vent leaf extracts.
2. Ho: There is no significant difference between the percentage growth retardation of
embryos treated with the different concentrations of C. bicolor (Aiton) Vent at 48 hours
post treatment applications.
Ha: There is a significant difference between the percentage growth retardation of
embryos treated with the different concentrations of C. bicolor (Aiton) Vent at 48 hours
post treatment applications.
3. Ho: There is no significant difference between the percentage of the number of cells
underwent in the different stages of mitosis as judged by the degree of chromosome
condensation, nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD), and chromosome arrangement
relative to spindle microtubules.
Ha: There is a significant difference between the percentage of the number of cells
underwent in the different stages of mitosis as judged by the degree of chromosome

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 condensation, nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD), and chromosome arrangement
relative to spindle microtubules.

Significance of the Study

The results of this present study will lead the society on widening their knowledge on
developing and producing products that will help to treat cancer.

Here are some sectors that the study will benefit:

Society

This study will raise the awareness of members of the community in discovering
alternative ways to cure cancer.

Medical Workers

With these results, the medical workers will gain their knowledge about the benefits that
Corazon De Maria (Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent) can give us like being a potential additive in
anti-cancer drugs.

Researchers

This research will help other researchers to develop and improve new findings in treating
cancer with the use of Corazon De Maria.

Teachers

This study will benefit the teachers, especially research teachers to guide their students in
doing their study.

Cancer Patients

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 The findings of this study will help the cancer patients in finding alternative way ways in
curing cancer.

Students

The results of this research will help students to gain knowledge about the Anti-mitotic
property of Corazon De Maria (C. bicolor (Aiton) Vent).

Businessmen

This study will help businessmen to develop new anti-cancer drugs that are alternative
and cheaper.

Scope and Delimitations

This study aims to determine the entitled “The Cytotoxicity and Teratogenic Activity of

Corazon De Maria (Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent) Leaf Extracts Using Zebrafish (Danio

rerio) Embryo”. The leaves of Corazon De Maria (Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent) are the only

parts of the plant that will be used in the study.