Peel of Mangifera indica (Mango) as an Alternative In vitro Anticoagulant to
Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for Hematological Testing
Research Paper Presented to the
Senior High School Department of
Caloocan City Science High School
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Subject
Practical Research II
Submitted to:
Angelo G.Cabic
Research Teacher
Suzzeth U.Dizon
Research Adviser
Submitted by:
Jose, Aleeza M.
David, Shanea Miles Q.
Saludes, Zyneb Yvenn S.
Su, Aerick Von C.
Encienzo, Eisaiah Joseph H.
CHAPTER I
PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
Coagulation or blood clotting is the body’s protective mechanism when blood loss occurs
from a damaged blood vessel. When damage happens to a blood vessel, a series of reactions take
place to form a blood clot. However, there are several conditions that allow blood clots to be
formed in the absence of active bleeding. Blood clots can block blood vessels, an artery or vein. A
blocked artery can stop the distribution of blood and oxygen to vital parts of the body such as part
of the heart that causes heart attack, brain causing stroke and lungs causing pulmonary embolism
(Rull, 2018).
On the other hand, anticoagulation or blood thinner is a treatment that is used to help in
preventing blood clot formation. This treatment prevents and reduces the risk of breaking of
blood clots that travels to the vital organs of the body, which can lead to severe situation.
Anticoagulation prevents blood from coagulating to form a clot in the vital organs such as the
heart, lungs, and brain (Ogbru, 2017). More than this, anticoagulant is also used when collecting
blood samples for hematologic testing as it inhibits in-vitro coagulation, making the sample
usable for testing. The anticoagulant should be mixed the blood sample in the test tube in proper
proportion, otherwise it can cause morphological changes in blood cells (Patel, 2009).
There are many anticoagulants that are known today but the most preferred anticoagulant
to be used in collecting blood sample is the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in a purple-
top tube (Limjuco, Catalan, & Aquino, 2014). It is the recommended anticoagulant of International
Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) for blood cell counting and sizing principally
because of its cell preservation properties (Limjuco et al., 2014). In a research conducted by Banfi,
Salvagno, and Lippi, it was found that EDTA is an effective chemical agent for anticoagulation
process as it chelates calcium and several other metal ions that are essential for blood clotting (as
cited in Limjuco et al., 2014). However, consuming of a very small amount of EDTA is said to be
expensive. Thus, the researchers of this study aim to provide a cheaper alternative to EDTA as an
anticoagulant
Mangifera indica, also known as Mango, is a flowering plant that belongs to
Anacardiaceae family. It is a native plant in India that is now one of the most widely cultivated
crops since it has been distributed worldwide, mostly in countries with warm climate and that are
frost-free. Mango is very abundant in the Philippines as it is one of the country’s crops with the
highest production rate every year. Several researchers found that each part of the Mango tree has
its own medicinal properties that benefits human health. The mango peels contain high levels
of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, other natural chemicals that helps to lower of the risk of
cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts and Parkinson’s disease. This peel contains Vitamin E that
is known to have exceptional health benefits. It is also known to have an effective anticoagulant
property.
Dowd and Zheng (1995) found out that Vitamin E quinone which is a natural metabolite
of vitamin E is a potent inhibitor of the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase which contributes in
coagulation process. According to Booth et al. (2004), "high-dose vitamin E supplementation
increased PIVKA-II (proteins induced by vitamin k absence-factor II) in adults not receiving oral
anticoagulant theraphy." High dose of vitamin E may antagonize vitamin K. Vitamin E antagonism
of vitamin K in healthy adults may be one of the mechanisms wherein vitamin E exerts mild
anticoagulant effect and is associated with reduced risk of coronary artery disease.
Thus, the researchers of this study decided to make use of the mango peels so it will not
just go into waste and study its anticoagulant activity and investigate if it can be a cost-effective
alternative to EDTA in laboratories.
Statement of the Problem
This research aims to study the anticoagulant activity of Mangifera indica and find out
whether it can be an alternative anticoagulant to EDTA. Specifically, it will answer the following
questions:
Scopes and Limitation
Significance of the Study
Anticoagulant is used to prevent the formation of blood clots and has been known to its
various uses. This treatment is used to prevent or treat abnormal blood clots leading to some
disorders. It is also used in collecting blood samples for testing as it inhibits in vitro
anticoagulation. However, majority of the anticoagulants used in the clinical laboratory are
expensive and relatively toxic to human health. For this reason, the aim of this study is to provide
an alternative potential source that could be vital in finding an anticoagulant that is less expensive
and non-toxic. It can also be beneficial to the following:
Medical Field. The present study will be a significant endeavor in the improvement of
anticoagulant treatment and could have a development in medical field.
Local Community. Since mango is widely produced in the Philippines, it is low cost and
will benefit those people who seek affordable treatment. The peel of it will also not just go directly
into waste and this can be beneficial in waste management.
Future Researchers. For future studies, this will extend existing knowledge about
anticoagulants and can be a source for future researchers that will conduct a study within the same
field. It will also propose recommendations that will suggest to the future researchers to exceed in
the scope of this present study.
References
Booth, S. et al. (2004). American Society for Clinical Nutrition. Effect of Vitamin E
supplementation on Vitamin K status in adultts with normal coagulation status. 143-148.
Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com › article-pdf
Dowd, P., & Zheng, Z. B. (1995). On the mechanism of the anticlotting action of vitamin E
quinone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of
America, 92(18), 8171–8175. doi:10.1073/pnas.92.18.8171
Limjuco, R. P., Catalan, M. P. & Aquino, F. C. (2014). Anticoagulant Activity of Pineapple
(Ananas comosus) Extract on Human Blood Samples. IAMURE International Journal of
Science and Clinical Laboratory, 6(1). Retrieved from
http://ejournals.ph/form/cite.php?id=2789
Ogbru, O. (2017). List of Anticoagulant Drugs (Blood Thinners). Retrieved from
https://www.medicinenet.com/anticoagulants_drug_class_of_blood_thinners/article.htm
Patel, Nayana. (2009) Why is EDTA the anticoagulant of choice for hematology use?. Tech
Talk7(1). Retrieved on December 14, 2013 from http://goo.gl/kU4Dww
Rull, G. (2018). Anticoagulants. Retrieved from https://patient.info/health/anticoagulants
