MANILA — Researchers from the University of the Philippines Manila have developed an ampalaya or bitter melon medicine tablet that showed promise for Type 2 diabetes patients.

UP Manila's Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM) launched the "game changer" diabetes medicine tablet in a release on Tuesday, saying the ampalaya tablet was classified as herbal medicine and not just an herbal supplement.

It said herbal medicines undergo rigorous testing for safety and efficacy and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Herbal supplements, on the other hand, are often marketed without therapeutic claims.

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The ampalaya medicine tablet passed extensive clinical trials and was proven to have a therapeutic effect on blood sugar levels, UP Manila said.

"This distinction ensures that the ampalaya tablet offers a superior, scientifically validated option for managing Type 2 diabetes," it said.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where a person's sugar level is elevated due to abnormalities in the secretion of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar level.

People who are overweight or obese, those with hypertension, and those with relatives who developed the disease are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People who have sedentary lifestyle are also at risk.

"Our studies have shown that the ampalaya tablet can produce a significant reduction in blood sugar levels, comparable to the [anti-diabetes] drug glibenclamide," Daisy-Mae Bagaoisan, a registered pharmacist and research assistant professor at IHM, also said in the release.

AMPALAYA TABLET MAY 'COMPLEMENT' TREATMENT; 'NO KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS'

Bagaoisan noted that diabetes is a growing concern worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, where the disease ranks among the top causes of death.

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

"The rising prevalence of diabetes, exacerbated by factors such as obesity and lifestyle changes, underscores the need for effective and accessible treatments."

"Bitter may indeed be better when it comes to managing diabetes."

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The ampalaya tablet was formulated according to World Health Organization guidelines, Bagaoisan said, adding that it is stable at room temperature for at least one and a half years.

"[I]t is very safe, making it a viable option for those seeking an herbal remedy with no known side effects," she said.

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