Santol [Scientific name: Sandoricum koetjape]
A tropical fruit, santol is one of the favorite fruits of Filipinos. It is high in carbohydrates and contains some iron and calcium, including vitamin B6. An infusion of the fleshy portion of the fruit can be used for diarrhea. The folkloric literature indicates that the medicinal properties of santol are mostly in the bark and roots. Infusion of the bark and roots can be used as topical wash or if pounded, as poultice on wounds or bruises. Infusion of the leaves can also be used for diarrhea and as tonic. A study had reported that the fruit can yield an active substance capable of inhibiting DNA polymerase beta. DNA polymerase beta is an enzyme that is believed to be linked with the development of cancer.
Since santol is found almost everywhere, get your dose of anti-cancer in santol. Traditionally, you can prepare a santol drink. Before you eat the fleshy portion of the seeds (please do not swallow the seeds), peel the fruit and and finely chop the fleshy portion of the fruit, add honey and water and you have a refreshing santol drink, just like your grandmother used to take. By the way, this is a natural source of vitamin C.
August 15th, 2007 at 10:47 am
studies about santol regarding the alkaloidal property of its bark?
August 21st, 2007 at 1:36 am
why dont scientist continue their studies about the roots and bark of santol so that we can solve cancer completely.
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From Doc Emil: The study of medicinal plants in terms of chemistry and bioactivity is a complicated and expensive endeavor, I used to head the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Dept. of Science and Technology and we could hardly get enough funds to provide for adequate study of selected medicinal plants. What we hope is that institutions such universities and research centers in the Philippines embark on their agenda on medicinal plants. Examples are De La Salle University, Dept of Chemistry, UST Research Center and UP Manila/Diliman which have given their resources to advance our knowledge of medicinal plants.
Santol is just one of many plants with anti-cancer potential. Mangosteen is another. We must also appreciate that the development of cancer varies with the type of cancer. On an actual survey of studies that are on-going, investigations focus on some at a time and so actual research cannot cannot completely solve the problem of how to stop the development of all types of cancer. In addition we do not know the real mechanism for the development of certain types of cancers. Examples of these are: liver cancer can be significantly prevented by protecting an individual against Hepatitis B (through vaccination); a significant number of individuals have benefited with the plant tsitsirika (Catharantus rosea) as a source of the drug vincristine and vinblastine. So there is a preventive mode and a curative mode for specific cancers and success of both modes will depend on how much we understand those types of cancers. Overall, it is the preventive mode that is more cost effective but very difficult to achieve.
June 21st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
lami santol!
June 29th, 2008 at 4:31 am
wawawawawaw
July 8th, 2008 at 11:37 am
sarap sarap men
February 26th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
alcoholic content of santol? please, someone!!! i need it for my project… please!
FROM DOC EMIL: Santol has no alcoholic content. Alchohol is a product of fermentation of a substrate, which is sugar.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:01 am
doc emil, can you be my consultant for my research study? it’s all about santol bark as anti cancer…
July 4th, 2009 at 8:04 am
doc, here is my yahoo account
pyroclasm_johnc@yahoo.com
what should be my research title if i will use the santol bark as anti cancer?
July 25th, 2009 at 9:58 am
doc what is the alkaloids that can be found in santol??????
July 25th, 2009 at 9:59 am
doc what alkaloids that can be found in santol??tanx
From Dr. Aligui: No specific analysis for alkaloid types can be cited for santol.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:24 am
doc, what diseases can santol possibly cure?and what other unproven things about it?
From Dr. Aligui: Medicinal plants will generally be beneficial as preventive of diseases. For very specific cures, most, including Santol, have no formal trial. The information about santol is folkloric.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:42 am
is it possible to make a bacteria killer out of the said slightly toxic substance that can be found in its bark? our teacher recommended it as our investigatory project for this year..
From Dr. Emil: No do not use bark. We do not encourage the use of bark because there are no studies on how toxic it bark is.
August 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hello po, DOc. My name is Trisha and I am currently doing a study on utilizing the phytochemicals of alugbati, turmeric, and kangkong into anti-cancer compounds to see which one is most effective. I believe thsi would be done through a screening process, right? Are there any other details you can share to help this study?
From Dr. Emil: Anti cancer screening would be best done on in-vitro setup. Usually, cultured cancer cells are used. This is very expensive because you have to maintain the cells. Anti-cancer properties through dietary studies are equally very difficult to do since you have to get consent for a trial. Most information on these for anti-cancer properties are folkloric and are gathered through long history of use by certain populations. By studying the population disease patterns inference is made on possible benefits.
August 18th, 2009 at 11:56 am
gud eve doc,i’m a student from first year level and we are going to conduct our investigatory project…i just want to know the uses of santol bark..i know that the more information i could gather, the more my project will be effective and it will be improved..i hope you could response…thanx
August 18th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
uhm hey Charity, try using Santol bark as medicine for something. I’ve heard about it somewhere and uh, the leaves could be put to good use, too.
August 19th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
doc… can you please help us… we have read an article that says santol can minimize pores… our teacher asks us to find what substance in santol can minimize pores… im hoping for a response thanks…
From Dr. Emil: Very limited studies on the analysis of the phytochemicals of santol, usually phenolic alkaloids and essential oils.
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
yes, its true na ang leaves ng santol pag i boil mo, or the dried peel of the fruits of Santol i boil then inumin. then after an hour kita mo ang result ang bilis. ito ang ginagmit namin kasi nasa province ako then 3 km ang pharmacy walang sasakyan papunta ng pharmacy ito ang ginamit namin sa provinsya.
April 13th, 2010 at 6:40 am
hi doc i have a question,i always eat santol and i swallow the seed because i think that is the part that is very delicios, is that give me risk to my health?
From Dr. Aligui: Usually wala naman kung di malaki ang seeds.
April 13th, 2010 at 6:51 am
hi doc i have a question my lower left part of my abdomen is always pain evryday sometimes if i eat meal the left part is getting big while the right part is empty can u give me some advice tnx lyn
From Dr. Aligui: Baka may partial obstruction ka, mas mabuti kung mag patingin ka sa doctor –gastroenterologist. You can also try Lactobacilli drink such as Yakult to improve digestion, yacon and coconuts to increase Lactobacilli and lower the amount of gas.
April 21st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
hi i am a reasearch student … i just want to know your recommendations for some new studies for santol .. and can you please state the chemicals in santol ..thanks
June 20th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
DOC. does the study of bark and roots of santol is still going on??
June 30th, 2010 at 9:02 am
sir i left a message on your facebook account. if you have time, can u please read it:)
June 30th, 2010 at 9:02 am
the message is all about a study regarding santol leaves
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Hi Ken, I have not seen the message. Please post it here. – Doc Emil
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 am
wow,,i will use this topic for my investigatory project…
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:45 am
an investigatory project example will help a lot.thanks……………..,
November 13th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Good evening doc. I’m a Veterinary Student of De La Salle Araneta University. I would just like to ask, What specific substance found in the leaves of santol that has the ability of treating or reducing skin infections and bacterias like that of staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. I’m really interested about this, If you have time sir, I’m looking forward to your response. Thank you very much.
God bless po.
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Usually alkaloids would cause bacterial inhibition. No specific studies are known for santol as bactericidal. It has plenty of antioxidant such as SOD or superoxide dismutase.
December 29th, 2010 at 4:51 am
gud day po.i am marlene de guzman …… nag-aaral po ako sa polong nat.high school …amf gusto ko lng po mgpatulong about dun po sa investigatory project namin…. kasi po medyo nalilito po ako;on how to make methodology about santol …….
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You can send me an explanation of what you are interested in doing. IPs are more than just a simple experiment, it is investigatory and your procedure must be well thought.