Phytochemicals of Common Medicinal Plants Utilized for Diabetes in Selected Municipalities in Sultan Kudarat Province, Philippines

Abstract

The study identified medicinal plants and their phytochemical constituents used by 100 patients with diabetes in Sultan Kudarat province from July 2018 to December 2019. Through collaboration with Municipal Health Offices and Barangay Local Government Units, purposive and snowball sampling facilitated location and interviews using a researcher-designed questionnaire. Respondents mentioned 28 medicinal plants as adjuncts to their prescribed antidiabetic medications. The most commonly used were Annona muricata (guyabano), Hibiscus esculentus (L) Moench (Lady’s finger/okra), Momordica charantia L. (Bitter melon/gourd); Costus igneus N.E.Br. (insulin plant), Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen), Lagenaria siceraria (miracle fruit/calabash), Curcuma longa, L. (turmeric), Phyllanthus niruri, L. (Chanca Piedra/stonebreaker), Moringa oleifera Lam. (drumstick tree/horseradish tree), and Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. (green tea). Laboratory-based phytochemical screening is recommended to verify reported bioactive compounds, as prior studies have documented antidiabetic flavonoids and alkaloids in these species, highlighting their potential as complementary therapies to control diabetes complications.