Survey of the Antidiabetic Plants found in the Philippines

Ivan L. Lawag1*, Alicia M. Aguinaldo123, Suad Naheed4, Mohammad Mosihuzzaman5

1
Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, Philippines
2
Research Center for the Natural Sciences, Thomas Aquinas Research Complex,
University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, Philippines
3
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, Philippines
4
H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
5
Honorary Director, International Centre for Natural Product Research (ICNPR)
Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences (BIHS)
125, Darussalam, Mirpur, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Email: ivan.lawag@gmail.com

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the ten (10) most prevalent chronic diseases not only in the Philippines but
also in the whole world. Thus, a survey on the plants found in the Philippines with
antidiabetic property/activity was conducted in order to exhaust the natural remedies present
in the country that can help in controlling the disease. Thorough and rigid literature survey
was done in more than 120 plants and were screened based on the following parameters: (a)
maximum number of reports of indigenous medicinal use; (b) extent of phytochemical
studies; (c) availability; and (d) edemicity. Some plants were chosen and were subjected to
in vitro yeast alpha glucosidase and salivary alpha amylase enzyme inhibition assays,
enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of complex sugars. The enzymes were also used
as a guide in isolating bioactive components from the said antidiabetic plants. The isolated
compounds were identified using various spectroscopic techniques.