Anti-ulcer potential found in 3 RP plants

MANILA, Philippines - A former government scholar has discovered the potential of three indigenous plants as sources of anti-ulcer remedies in an award-winning study.

Janel Khristine Marie Tarin, 21, has studied the anti-ulcer activities of bataw (Dolichos lablab), molave (Vitex parviflora), and alugbati (Basella lucis Linn).

Tarin said extracts of the three plants — mixed with normal saline solution —were orally administered to albino mice with ethanol-induced ulcer.

“Based on visual examination, using our microscope, molave and alugbati have high anti-ulcer activities than bataw,” Tarin said.

Tarin graduated with a degree in B.S. in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines in Diliman this year.

However, Tarin did not specify in her study the chemical components of the plants that can cure ulcer.

She said bataw, molave and alugbati belong to a plant family that has anti-ulcer activities. She said no study has been done so far on the anti-ulcer activities of these plants.

Previous studies, however, showed that the botanical compounds with anti-ulcer activity include flavonoids (i.e. quercetin, naringin, silymarin, anthocyanosides, sophoradin derivatives), saponins (i.e. from Panax japonicus and Kochia scoparia), tannins (i.e. from Linderae umbellatae), and gums and mucilages (i.e. gum guar and myrrh).

Tarin’s study entitled, “Anti-ulcer Activities and Gastro Protective Effects of Bauhinia Purprea, Dolichos lablab, and Vitex parviflora,” was one of the recipients of the 2010 Gruppo Medica Award for Outstanding Research given by the Department of Science and Technology during the opening ceremonies of the National Science and Technology Week at the Manila Hotel last Monday.