The Philippine natural health products industry is an emerging contributor to consumer welfare and inclusive growth in the country. Towards this, the industry intends to adopt, harmonize and align the proposed Philippine NHP standards and certification systems with international standards initiate a National Research and Development Agenda for Philippine NHP design a strategic NHP Raw Material and Production Master Plan conduct continuous product development identify and target possible markets through consolidated strategic marketing programs for each of the indentified export markets and build the capacity of relevant industry stakeholders. With the adoption of technologies and processes at par with other countries, the industry will be known for producing superior quality, safe, effective and affordable natural health products, and will be committed to creating jobs, empowering and giving equal economic opportunity and uplifting the condition of small Filipino farmers and farmholders especially in the countryside. This effort is directed toward continuous improvement, and with respect for diversity and active involvement of all stakeholders through strong forward and backward industry linkages. In line with this vision, the industry is determined to build a unique range of natural health products through the effective and efficient use of the country’s natural resources. Tsaang gubat and ampalaya aqueous leaf extracts did not exhibit any anti-amoeba activity.The Philippine natural health products (NHP) industry envisions itself to be sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive, known for the dedication and passion of its stakeholders in consistently providing safe, innovative, superior quality, effective and affordable natural health products that nurture both people and animal’s health in every market served. Metronidazole was able to eradicate the amoeba parasite at 24 and 72 hours, while exposure to DMSO did not result in inhibition nor death of the parasite. The IC50 of tsaang gubat and ampalaya leaf extracts were >500 µg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Tsaang gubat and ampalaya leaves failed to show anti-amoebic activity and even had increased growth of amoeba at all dose levels. Metronidazole and DMSO served as positive and negative controls, respectively. The live trophozoites (unstained) were counted under a binocular microscope. The trophozoites were stained with Trypan blue and dispensed into chambers of a Neubauer hemocytometer. The amoeba and leaf extracts were incubated for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Anti-amoebic activity was determined in an in vitro assay using Entamoeba histolytica HK-9 strain against 10 dose levels (18-10,000 µg/mL). The tsaang gubat and ampalaya leaves were sourced from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños and processed into a lyophilized aqueous extract.

The aim of this research was to provide evidence to validate the use of tsaang gubat and ampalaya leaf extracts for dysentery by determining their anti-amoebic activity. Tsaang gubat and ampalaya have been used by traditional healers from different cultures to treat dysentery. Few drugs such as metronidazole are available to treat this disease unfortunately, it is associated with several serious side effects. Amoebiasis is a global health problem affecting poor regions in the world.

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