Gab Ibis

The connotation for ampalaya is that it is one of the most bitter additives in our cuisine—however, this bitter solution can help the dilemma of the ones who pay the price for enjoying too much “sweet” cake.


The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila has developed an innovative ampalaya tablet, offering a new natural alternative in the battle against type 2 diabetes.

Classified as an herbal medicine—unlike other ampalaya products that are marketed merely as supplements—this tablet has undergone extensive clinical trials and is approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Scientists and researchers at the Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM), a unit of the National Institutes of Health of UP Manila, have shown that the ampalaya tablet effectively reduces blood sugar levels, making it a tantalizing medically validated solution.

“Our research on the ampalaya tablet offers a natural alternative that could complement current treatments for managing this condition,” Daisy-Mae Bagaoisan, a registered pharmacist and research assistant professor at IHM said in a statement.

Due its rigorous clinical trials, it is classified as a medicine due to its demonstrated therapeutic benefits—and not simply a health supplement.

“The tablet has undergone rigorous clinical trials (phases one to three) and has been found to effectively reduce fasting plasma glucose by the third week of treatment and decrease glycosylated hemoglobin after 12 weeks,” Bagaoisan explained.

Fasting plasma glucose refers to the amount of sugar in blood after an overnight fast, while glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a measure of average blood sugar levels over three months—both indicators are crucial in monitoring diabetes.

In contrast to the current herbal supplements that are often marketed with vague health benefits, the development is a proven therapeutic tool for managing blood sugar levels.

Bagaoisan emphasizes, "Bitter may indeed be better when it comes to managing diabetes."

Diabetes is a growing global health crisis, especially in countries like the Philippines.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 4.5 million Filipinos are currently living with diabetes, a number expected to rise to over 6 million by 2045.

The rising prevalence of diabetes, driven by unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and increasing rates of obesity, makes it important to find effective, accessible treatments.

"The need for treatments that are not only effective but also accessible to the majority of the population is more urgent than ever. Our ampalaya tablet offers a viable option, particularly in low and middle-income countries," Bagaoisan said.

The therapeutic potential of the ampalaya tablet lies in its bioactive compounds, which are naturally occurring chemicals in plants that influence biological processes in the human body.

Ampalaya, scientifically known as Momordica charantia, contains more than 220 bioactive chemicals, including alkaloids, glycosides, and triterpenoids like momordicins I and IV.

These compounds are key to the plant’s blood sugar-lowering effects.

The ampalaya tablet has also been formulated to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards, ensuring its safety and efficacy.

“It is very safe, making it a viable option for those seeking an herbal remedy with no known side effects,” said Bagaoisan.

The success of the ampalaya tablet’s clinical trials, along with its FDA approval as an herbal medicine, sets it apart as a serious option for diabetes management.

The tablet’s journey began with the transfer of its technology in 2006, and it is now moving closer to being widely available to the public.

As diabetes cases continue to rise globally, the ampalaya tablet is prepared to offer a natural, scientifically proven alternative for those managing diabetes—a bitter solution to a sweet dilemma.