UP Manila researchers develop ampalaya tablet to fight Type 2 Diabetes

IF one would put an image of a bitter gourd, locally known as ampalaya, on the “One Has to Go (food edition)” trend on social media, it would most likely be picked by several individuals.

While ampalaya might not sit well with other people’s taste buds because of its bitter taste, this vegetable brings many benefits to the body, including managing health issues like type 2 diabetes.

According to the University of the Philippines Manila, a group of researchers from the Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed an ampalaya tablet that can help fight type 2 diabetes.

This was presented by Professor Daisy-Mae Bagaoisan, a registered pharmacist and IHM’s research assistant professor.

“Diabetes, particularly non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (nIDDM), is a growing concern worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries like the Philippines,” Bagaoisan said in a statement.

“Our research on the ampalaya tablet offers a natural alternative that could complement current treatments for managing this condition,” she added.

The researchers noted how rich ampalaya, scientifically known as Momordica charantia, is in bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, glycosides, and triterpenoids like momordicins I and IV.

It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium, Iron, and Zinc.

Bagaoisan said the IHM team found out that the powdered ampalaya leaves have “a significant reduction in blood sugar levels, comparable to the drug glibenclamide.”

“The tablet has undergone rigorous clinical trials (phases 1 to 3) and has been found to effectively reduce fasting plasma glucose by the third week of treatment and decrease glycosylated hemoglobin after 12 weeks,” she explained.

A herbal medicine

The ampalaya tablet is not just an herbal supplement but a herbal medicine, as its safety and efficacy were tested and regulated by health authorities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It is registered as an herbal medicine with the FDA, offering “a superior, scientifically validated option for managing type 2 diabetes.”

The ampalaya table was formulated in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines and was “stable at room temperature for at least one and a half years,” said Bagaoisan.

“It is very safe, making it a viable option for those seeking an herbal remedy with no known side effects,” the pharmacist stressed.

About type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is most common in adults.

It affects how your body uses sugar (glucose) for energy. It stops the body from using insulin properly, which can lead to high levels of blood sugar if not treated. 

Over time, type 2 diabetes can cause serious damage to the body, especially nerves and blood vessels.

This type of diabetes develops slowly, but its symptoms include increased thirst, constant hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision, among others.

The Department of Health (DOH) noted several risk factors for the disease, including unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes yet, it can be managed through eating healthy food and being physically active.