The Peperomia pellucida plant, locally known as "ulasimang bato" or "pansit-pansitan." Photo by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit and IHM/UP Manila

MANILA — Leading herbal medicine experts from the University of the Philippines Manila have developed an anti-gout tablet derived from a plant long used in Philippine traditional medicine, which could potentially benefit around 1.6 million Filipinos suffering from the painful form of arthritis.

The Peperomia pellucida plant — locally known as "ulasimang bato" or "pansit-pansitan" — has been clinically proven by researchers from UP Manila's Institute of Herbal Medicine to be effective for its "powerful" analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperuricemic properties. 

Professor Jade Rodriguez, who announced the "breakthrough" research on the Peperomia pellucida plant at a pharmaceutical exhibition last month, said the herbal tablet could be a "safer, more natural way for Filipinos to manage gout without the risks linked to synthetic drugs."

The researchers noted that while medications like allopurinol and febuxostat help lower uric acid levels, they can cause side effects affecting kidney and liver function.

Gout — which can develop in some people with high levels of uric acid — is a form of arthritis characterized by intense pain, swelling, or tenderness, often in the big toe, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The researchers believe the easy-to-take herbal tablet could serve as an alternative treatment for gout and hyperuricemia because of its proven ability to lower uric acid levels.

Due to the plant's reputation for pain treatment, it is one of the medicinal plants endorsed by the Department of Health.

"This research transforms the plant from a folk remedy into a scientifically validated alternative for gout relief," the UP experts said.

UP Manila said it was working to make the anti-gout tablet available to the public, with the university's Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO) already looking for partners to help bring the herbal medicine to the market.

For those interested in collaborating or investing in the herbal pill, UP Manila said stakeholders could contact the TTBDO.

In October last year, UP Manila announced that it was seeking partners to commercialize and market its ampalaya medicine tablet.

The ampalaya pill was developed after years of clinical trials and found to be a promising alternative that could complement treatments for managing type 2 diabetes.

'Game changer': UP researchers' ampalaya medicine tablet for Type 2 diabetes shows promise

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