Filipino Doctors Develop An Affordable Remedy To Cure Gout, High Uric Acid

Gout is the most common type of arthritis among Filipinos. It is a common type of arthritis that causes intense pain, swelling, and stiffness in a joint that usually affects the joints in the big toe.

Gout attacks can come on quickly and keep returning over time, slowly harming tissues in the region of the inflammation, and can be extremely painful.

CAUSES

According to the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA), around 1.6 million Filipinos are suffering from gout.

Gout is caused initially by an excess of uric acid in the blood, or hyperuricemia.

Uric acid is produced in the body during the breakdown of purines – chemical compounds that are found in high amounts in certain foods such as meat, poultry, and seafood.

Normally, uric acid is dissolved in the blood and is excreted from the body in urine via the kidneys, and if too much uric acid is produced, or not enough is excreted, it can build up and form needle-like crystals that trigger inflammation and pain in the joints and surrounding tissue. 

PREVENTION

There are many lifestyles and dietary guidelines that can be tried to protect against flares or prevent gout from occurring in the first instance:

-Maintain a healthy body weight

-Maintain a high fluid intake of around 2 to 4 liters a day

-Avoid alcohol

TREATMENT

Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is the standard treatment for gouty arthritis and it acts by lowering uric acid levels in the blood, however, despite its efficacy, cases of hyperuricemia recurrence among allopurinol-treated patients are still reported.

Peperomia pellucida, locally known as “ulasimang-bato” or “pansit-pansitan”, has long been used in Philippine traditional medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperuricemic properties.

The Institute of Herbal Medicine National Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines - Manila led by Dr. Nelia C. Maramba developed a drug formulation from ulasimang-bato extracts that are targeted to cure hyperuricemia and gout. 

 

Based on their studies, the optimum dosage is recommended initially at 80 mg/kg/day and then reduced to 40 mg/kg/day after 2 weeks.

Results of their studies have shown that ulasimang-bato extract has significantly reduced serum uric acid levels and that the percent reduction is comparable with the effects induced by allopurinol.

In addition, recurrence of hyperuricemia has not been recorded among patients receiving ulasimang-bato doses. 

HEALTH BENEFITS

Ulasimang-bato or pansit-pansitan has been used for treating abdominal pain, abscesses, acne, boils, colic, fatigue, gout, headache, renal disorders, and rheumatic joint pain.

In Bolivia, Alteños Indians use the whole plant to stop hemorrhages. The roots are used to treat fevers and the aerial parts are used as dressing for wounds.

In Northeastern Brazil, the plant has been used to lower cholesterol.

In Guyana and the Amazon region, it is a popular cough suppressant, emollient, and diuretic. It is also used to treat proteinuria and used topically for skin disorders such as acne and boils. 

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In the Philippines, it is one of the 10 medicinal plants endorsed by the Department of Health. It is used to decrease uric acid levels, which is a cause of arthritis and gout. It can be used as a decoction or eaten raw as a salad. 

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT STAGE

The ulasimang-bato drug formulation already has an existing patent for its tablet form.

Currently, the product is undergoing clinical trials and is at its pre-commercialization stage (TRL 7).

The proponents are currently seeking for pharmaceutical companies who will produce, manufacture, and distribute the product. 

READ: Filipino Students Discover Affordable Remedy Against Kidney Stones

Source: DOST | MedicalNewsToday | Wikipedia