Ampalaya Leaf Soon to Become a Medicine for Diabetes 11/27/2007
An herbal drug made from Ampalaya leaves is soon to become commercially available to help bring down the cost of medicines for Type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine for Health Research (DOST-PCHRD), said that Ampalaya leaves of the Makiling variety, which has the scientific name Momordica Charantia, will soon be available in tablet form. These tablets will serve as medication for patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Dr. Montoya said that leaves of Makiling Ampalaya has shown to help decrease blood sugar and glucose levels of Type 2 diabetics. The leaves were used as the main ingredient because they have a higher content of active ingredient used to combat Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually affects Filipinos aged 35 and above. Meanwhile, Type 1 or juvenile diabetes is developed during childhood.
According to Montoya, herbal drugs account to Php100 million in sales with a 3.5 percent share in the pharmaceutical market.
On May 13, 1945, UNILAB opened its first pharmaceutical division, the United American Pharmaceutical (UAP). It marketed the company’s first ethical product, Rauserpin, an anti-hypertensive tranquilizer.
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