BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
TUGUEGARAO CITY (January 7)—A new wonder fruit for inflammatory disease has been discovered, thanks to university-based research in Cagayan province.
In its laboratory, the Cagayan State University (CSU) said it has found out in its laboratory study of the small fruit called “bignay” which is endemic to the Philippines had indeed lived up to its long-held folk promise.
Prof. Maria Nilda Muñoz, a Balik Scientist (2010-2013), Inventor and Principal Investigator of the Bignay project, said the study was supported by the CSU under the administration of President Urdujah Gaerlan Alvarado in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) through its Region 2 Director Sancho Mabborang.
Known scientifically as Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng, the tiny ruby-red cherries is a species of fruit tree in the family Phyllanthaceae. It is also native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Its common Philippine name and other names include bignay, bugnay or bignai, Chinese-laurel, Queensland-cherry, salamander-tree, wild cherry and currant tree.
Also grown in Cagayan Valley or Region 2 which comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and the island province of Batanes, Bignay was just among the popular plant-based medicines employed by herbolaryos (herbalist) to their patients.
According to CSU, the fruit underwent extensive laboratory studies at the university’s Natural Product Research and Innovation Center for months that led to coming out with a complete report confirming the numerous health anecdotal and folkloric claims by the locals where it is grown.
Muñoz said they used an animal model of respiratory diseases and that bignay has proven to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, effective against lung disorders such as airway inflammation, asthma, allergy, cough and colds.
She said bignay extract has also been tested to be effective against chemically induced rheumatoid arthritis, gout and joint pains in rats and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury on mice in vivo and it has an anti-oxidant property, anti-inflammatory activity, cholesterol buster and immune system booster.
After the conclusion of the CSU study, Muñoz noted that the long tradition of testimonials can now be said to come with a seal of science and medicine.
The new product with its tradename as “Sunberry” with Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) No. 4000006699310 is now available as food supplement, she said.
“The local scientific community has put bioavailability-based studies as among its priorities, and the Bignay study result is one big leap for this thrust,” Muñoz said.