Peperomia pellucida (also known by common names pepper elder, shining bush plant, and man to man) is an annual, shallow-rooted herb, usually growing to a height of about 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 inches), it is characterized by succulent stems, shiny, heart-shaped, fleshy leaves and tiny, dot- like seeds attached to several fruiting spikes. It has a mustard-like odor when crushed. The family Piperaceae comprises about a dozen genera and 3000 species. The genus Peperomia represents nearly half of the Piperaceae with the genus Piper making the rest.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Piperales
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Species: P.pellucida
Binomial name: Peperomia pellucida kunth
Synomyns
Piper concinnum Haw.
Peperomia translucen Trel.
Piper pellucidum L
OVERVIEW:
Gout is the most common type of arthritis among Filipinos. According to the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA), around 1.6 million Filipinos are suffering from gout, which makes it the most common inflammatory type of arthritis in the country. Having hyperuricemia or a high serum uric acid level is directly correlated with the development of gout, renal stones and skin tophi. Approximately 28% of all Filipinos have hyperuricemia. This may be due to a decrease in uric acid excretion because the kidneys are not able to compensate for the high purine load.
TECHNOLOGY FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:
Peperomia pellucida is also commonly known as Ulasimang bato or pansit-pasitan. Folklorically, the leaves have been used as a decoction to treat gout, arthritis and urinary tract infections.
Clinical trials involving adults with severe hyperuricemia but were otherwise in good health showed that ulasimang bato decreases the serum uric acid levels within 2 weeks of oral intake. The average drop in uric acid levels reached 78% by 7 weeks of continous intake, which was similar to the percentage drop in levels after oral intake of allopurinol for the same duration. Joint pains were a common complaint before starting treatment. After 2 weeks of treatment with Ulasimang bato,>85% had satisfactory pain relief. Also, patients treated with Ulasimang bato did not experience “rebound” hyperuricemia, often seen in patients treated with Allopurinol. Physical examination and blood chemistries were normal during the duration that the patients were being treated with ulasimang bato tablet.
The Ulasimang bato tablet is available as a 500 mg of dried and powdered aerial parts.
INDICATIONS: Ulasimang bato is used for the treatment of hyperuricemia and for the relief of gout. It is prescribed at 80 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses to 40 mg/kg/day for the next 5 weeks
USES: Peperomia pellucida has been used as a food item as well as a medicinal berb. Although mostly grown for its ornamental foliage, the entire plant is edible, both cooked and raw. It is also said that it can be a good refrigerant
Scientific Studies Peperomia pellucida (“ulasimang bato” or “pansit-pansitan” ) Herbal Medicine
Analgesic / Anti-inflammatory action of ulasimang bato
Ulasimang bato has been traditionally used to treat fever, cough, common cold, headache, and arthritis. In a study of aerial parts of peperomia extract in mice indicated that it exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was contributed to interference with prostaglandin synthesis. In another study done on rabbits, ulasimang bato extract exhibited an anti-pyretic activity which indicates that it comparable to standard aspirin.
ANTI-ARTHRITIS ACTIVITY OF ULASIMANG BATO
A study have showed that extract from ulasimang bato/pansit-pansitan combined with ibuprofen treatment has significantly improved the symptoms associated with arthritis. Particularly that of knee joint rheumatism.
URIC ACID REDUCTION IN BLOOD
In a controlled study involving rats, extracts from P. pellucida were administered and uric acid levels were monitored. The study have shown that rats that were subjected to ulasimang bato/pansit-pansitan extract indicated a 44% reduction of uric acid level in blood while those that are given allopurinol drug have shown 66% reduction in uric acid level. This results show that ulasimang bato/pansit-pansitan may contain compounds that maybe used as alternative to allopurinol to control uric acid levels in the blood.
DEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF ULASIMANG BATO/PANSIT-PANSITAN
In a study done in Bangladesh, mice were given nikethamine to induce excitement. The mice were later administered with extract from pepperomia pellucida to determine its depressant activity. The results of the study suggest that ulasimang bato extract has a dose dependent depressant activity that is beneficial for treatment of excessive mental excitement disorder.
