The persistence of human diseases challenges the current state of the discovery and production of synthetic drugs. Plants are recognized as a great resource to discover chemical compounds that can be used for drug development. In the Philippines, Ehretia microphylla (tsaang gubat) is recognized by the Department of Health as one of the ten recommended medicinal plants. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the traditional use, phytochemical constituents, pharmacologic activities as well as the non-clinical and clinical studies leading to the NIRPROMP formulation of the tsaang gubat tablet indicated for biliary and gastrointestinal pain. Among the phytochemical constituents observed were flavonoids, phenolics, triterpenes, and alkaloids. Evidence for other pharmacologic properties such as antibacterial, anti-angiogenesis, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, folliculogenesis, wound healing and anti-cancer activities are presented. Currently, tsaang gubat tablet has been granted a full patent for its invention as a tablet for relieving symptoms of biliary and gastrointestinal colic and is registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration for these indications. The tsaang gubat tablet is listed in the Philippine National Formulary after the conduct of in vitro, in vivo and Phase I-III clinical trials. Future platforms for research include the reformulation of the existing tsaang gubat drug for other indications, determination of the molecular mechanism of action and plans for plant conservation.
Phytochemicals ; Colic

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Vitex negundo (lagundi) for the treatment of acute cough of mild to moderate severity among pediatric patients. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing lagundi to placebo for acute cough of mild to moderate severity in children and adolescents aged two to twenty one years in ambulatory settings was performed. Authors of unpublished clinical trials with existing patent numbers were contacted and permission was obtained to access and include their studies in this review. Results: Seven studies were included, with a total of 308 participants. Lagundi increased the peak exploratory flow rate (PEFR) at the end of therapy compared with placebo but this was not statistically significant (p=0.36). The increase in PEFR was consistent with the results of the mechanistic isolated tissue studies that showed bronchodilating effect of lagundi. Studies using lagundi syrup showed decrease in the frequency of cough by 44–71%. Conclusion Lagundi therapy in acute cough of mild to moderate severity among pediatric patients has a bronchodilating effect and decreases the frequency and duration of coughing, with no serious adverse effects.
Cough

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the Philippines and about 3 in every 100 Filipina will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There is a need to discover safe, yet inexpensive herbal extracts with potential cytotoxic properties as potential treatment modalities to treat breast cancer. Objectives: This study seeks to explore the cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of the ethyl acetate fraction of the defatted crude methanol leaf extract of Syzygium samarangense in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Screening for flavonoids of the extracts was performed using TLC, total flavonoids, total phenols, FTIR and LC-MS spectroscopy. The hydrogen peroxide and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power were used as substrates to assess in vitro anti-oxidative properties of the extracts. The MTT dye viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxic properties of the extracts against MCF-7 cells. Apoptotic properties of the extracts in MCF-7 cells were determined by caspase-3 activation assay, DNA fragmentation patterns and fluorescence microscopy after annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. Results: The abundance of flavonoids in the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude methanol leaf extract was established by TLC, FTIR, LC-MS/MS, total flavonoid and total phenol analyses. The in vitro anti-oxidative properties of this extract was comparable to ascorbic acid. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of this extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines was 7.2 mcg/mL while doxorubicin registered an IC50 of 1.2 mcg/mL. At this concentration, the extract was not cytotoxic to normally-dividing breast epithelial cells. Cytotoxicity of the extract was mediated via apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and fluorescence microscopic analyses. Conclusion The study shows that the flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate fraction of the crude methanol leaf extract of S. samarangense possesses potent apoptotic and cytotoxic properties against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines at low concentrations.
MCF-7 Cells ; Syzygium

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the Philippines and about 3 in every 100 Filipina will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There is a need to discover safe, yet inexpensive herbal extracts with potential cytotoxic properties as potential treatment modalities to treat breast cancer. Objectives: This study seeks to explore the cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of the ethyl acetate fraction of the defatted crude methanol leaf extract of Syzygium samarangense in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Screening for flavonoids of the extracts was performed using TLC, total flavonoids, total phenols, FTIR and LC-MS spectroscopy. The hydrogen peroxide and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power were used as substrates to assess in vitro anti-oxidative properties of the extracts. The MTT dye viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxic properties of the extracts against MCF-7 cells. Apoptotic properties of the extracts in MCF-7 cells were determined by caspase-3 activation assay, DNA fragmentation patterns and fluorescence microscopy after annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. Results: The abundance of flavonoids in the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude methanol leaf extract was established by TLC, FTIR, LC-MS/MS, total flavonoid and total phenol analyses. The in vitro anti-oxidative properties of this extract was comparable to ascorbic acid. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of this extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines was 7.2 mcg/mL while doxorubicin registered an IC50 of 1.2 mcg/mL. At this concentration, the extract was not cytotoxic to normally-dividing breast epithelial cells. Cytotoxicity of the extract was mediated via apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and fluorescence microscopic analyses. Conclusion The study shows that the flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate fraction of the crude methanol leaf extract of S. samarangense possesses potent apoptotic and cytotoxic properties against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines at low concentrations.
MCF-7 Cells ; Syzygium

Background: Long-term treatment and medication compliance are critical for managing conditions like hypertension, yet only 20% of cases are well-controlled, mainly due to socioeconomic factors. The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 offers a 20% discount on medications to improve compliance, but many seniors need to be made aware of these benefits. Evaluating satisfaction with the Act, specifically regarding its medication-related provisions, is essential for enhancing compliance and health outcomes among senior citizens. Objective: This study examined the association between satisfaction with the medication provisions of the Senior Citizens Act, the frequency of senior identification card usage, and medication compliance among hypertensive patients. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study with 458 hypertensive senior citizens in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines. Senior citizens were randomly selected and completed a survey using a validated, self-developed questionnaire and the Hill-Bone High Blood Pressure (HB-HBP) compliance scale. We performed linear regression analysis to examine the association between their satisfaction and the use of senior citizens’ benefits on their medication compliance. Results: Senior citizens were 60-88 years old (mean 69; standard deviation [SD] 5.9). Thirty-eight percent were satisfied with the Senior Citizens Act and 49% regularly used their senior citizen card. Senior citizens scored an average of 46.82 (SD 4.96) on the HB-HBP compliance scale (possible range = 14-56), indicating high compliance. Those dissatisfied with the Senior Citizens Act were less compliant with their antihypertensive medications [B (unstandardized beta) = -1.65, 95% CI (Confidence Interval) = -2.70, -0.61]. Similarly, those who rarely or never used their senior identification cards (B = -1.54, 95% CI = -2.61, -0.48) and those who used them occasionally (B = -1.43, 95% CI = -2.57, -0.29) showed lower medication compliance compared to those who used them regularly. Conclusion Senior citizens who are satisfied with the medication provisions of the Act and regularly use their senior identification cards exhibit higher compliance with their antihypertensive medications than those with lower satisfaction and infrequent card usage. Interventions should prioritize educational sessions to inform senior citizens about the benefits of the Senior Citizens Act, including how to use their identification cards to access medication discounts effectively.
Human ; hypertension ; medication adherence ; Philippines ; satisfaction ; personal satisfaction