Rowegie Abanto

Article (news)

THUMBNAIL

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Researchers from the University of the Philippines have developed an herbal anti-diabetes pill using key compounds from Philippine medicinal plants, which could soon be available in the market.</p><p>Filipino researchers led by College of Pharmacy Associate Professor Bienvenido Balotro <a href="https://www.upm.edu.ph/cpt_news/filipino-researchers-develop-herbal-antidiabetic-tablet-under-tuklas-lunas/">said in a news release</a> that the herbal anti-diabetes pill works by regulating blood sugar levels and by reducing the chances of dangerous spikes that could lead to complications.</p><p>The herbal tablet is a cost-effective alternative to other diabetes treatments on the market, providing healthcare and economic relief to those suffering with the chronic disease, according to the researchers from multiple institutions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/2/up-researchers-ampalaya-medicine-tablet-for-type-2-diabetes-shows-promise-1343">&#x27;Game changer&#x27;: UP researchers&#x27; ampalaya medicine tablet for Type 2 diabetes shows promise</a></div><p>Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines, where the cost of medicines is often prohibitive for the poor.</p><p>The innovation was developed under the &quot;Tuklas Lunas&quot; program and was presented by Assistant Professor Raymond Fernando Yu at the 2nd Pharma and Healthcare Expo on Feb. 26, 2025.</p><p>&quot;Our product is more accessible, just as effective, but not as expensive—and may be taken alongside regular medication,&quot; Professor Yu said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/3/19/up-develops-anti-gout-tablet-from-pansit-pansitan-plant-1506">RELATED: UP develops &#x27;powerful&#x27; anti-gout tablet from &#x27;pansit-pansitan&#x27; plant</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PLANT-BASED COMPOUNDS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The researchers used compounds from Philippine medicinal plants like cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins to develop the tablet.</p><p>&quot;This country is blessed with so many natural resources, some of which are underexplored. We have a sleeping gold mine in these natural resources—including the less-heard and the untapped—which we can harness for their phytomedicines with medicinal properties,&quot; Yu said.</p><p>&quot;If we formulate these products into familiar dosage forms such as tablets, we add more value to these earlier products and make them accessible to the general public.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/3/23/up-develops-herbal-painkiller-seeks-partners-for-commercialization-1622">RELATED: UP develops herbal painkiller, seeks partners for commercialization</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>HOW IT WORKS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The research team said the pill works by inhibiting α-glucosidase, the enzyme that plays a key role in breaking down carbohydrates into glucose.</p><p>&quot;By slowing this process, the tablet helps regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of dangerous spikes that can lead to severe complications such as kidney failure, heart disease, and nerve damage,&quot; they said.</p><p>Professor Yu noted that their results showed the extracts — at 100 parts per million — could inhibit the activity of the α-glucosidase enzyme by 50 percent.</p><p>&quot;This means our product can block the breakdown of sugars, preventing spikes in blood sugar levels,&quot; said Yu.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/9/up-manila-seeks-partners-to-commercialize-ampalaya-pill-for-diabetes-827">UP Manila seeks partners to commercialize ampalaya pill for diabetes</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>COMMERCIALIZATION</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The team said they secured a utility model from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines in 2022, which is a crucial step toward the product&#x27;s commercialization. </p><p>The protection recognizes the novel formulation and its potential to become a competitive herbal product in the market, the release said.</p><p>It noted that herbal products now hold a 12 percent share of the Philippine pharmaceutical market and valued at approximately $18.2 million. </p><p>&quot;The increasing preference for herbal medicine presents a significant opportunity for this locally developed tablet to make a lasting impact,&quot; it said.</p><p>Anyone interested in collaborating or investing in the innovation may contact <a href="https://www.upm.edu.ph/cpt_news/filipino-researchers-develop-herbal-antidiabetic-tablet-under-tuklas-lunas/">UP Manila&#x27;s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office</a>.</p><p>Last year, UP Manila said it was seeking partners to commercialize its ampalaya medicine tablet, which could complement treatments for managing Type 2 diabetes in millions of Filipinos. <strong>—Sharona Nicole Semilla, ABS-CBN News Intern</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ogZP0mU16P4?&amp;t=1s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Researchers from the University of the Philippines have developed an anti-diabetes herbal tablet using key compounds from Philippine medicinal plants, which could soon be available in the market.</p>

Researchers from the University of the Philippines have developed an anti-diabetes herbal tablet using key compounds from Philippine medicinal plants, which could soon be available in the market.

UP researchers develop affordable, effective herbal anti-diabetes tablet

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Health & Science

UP researchers develop affordable, effective herbal anti-diabetes tablet

ABS-CBN News

Published March 30, 2025 09:37 AM PHT

|

Updated March 30, 2025 09:42 AM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

ANC promo

diabetes tablet

diabetes pill

herbal diabetes medicine

diabetes

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.