UP researchers develop pansit-pansitan tablet for gout treatment

Researchers from the University of the Philippines Manila have developed a gout medication made of ulasimang bato, also known as pansit-pansitan.

The drug, which comes in tablet form, has been shown to reduce uric acid levels in patients with gout, which is a common form of arthritis.

''Their clinical trials demonstrated a progressive reduction in uric acid levels among participants, with a 40% decrease observed by Day 14. This reduction continued, reaching up to 63% by Day 28 and up to 78% by Day 49,'' UP Manila said in an article posted on its website.

''Notably, no adverse effects were reported, in contrast to conventional gout treatments that may pose risks to kidney and liver health.''

The DOST's Philippine Council for Health Research and Development said in a separate article that the researchers found that the ideal dosage should be set at 80 mg/kg/day at first, and then lowered to 40 mg/kg/day after two weeks.

Jade Rodriguez, one of the research proponents from the UP Manila Institute of Herbal Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, said the findings showed that ulasimang bato (Peperomia pellucida) ''has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperuricemia properties.''

''It could be a safer, more natural way for Filipinos to manage gout without the risks linked to synthetic drugs,” he added.

Gout affects some 1.6 million Filipinos, according to the Philippine Rheumatology Association.

Its symptoms include ''sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints, most often in the big toe,'' the Mayo Clinic said.

According to UP Manila, efforts are underway to make the pansit-pansitan tablet accessible to the public.

''The university’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO) is looking for partners to help bring this herbal medicine to market,'' it said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News