Rhelyn Harder
- “Pukpuklo” is a seasonally–available seaweed and is effective in fighting against cancer cells and the spread of cancer on the body
- Seaweed used in favorite Ilocano dish may have anticancer benefits
- It can also generate healthy skin growth and stimulate the healing of rat’s skin exposed to UVB radiation
- The researcher was also looking at the possibility of making cosmetics with medical benefits because of its anti-aging components
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) conducted a research and found out that polysaccharides extracted from “pukpuklo,” a seasonally–available seaweed, can be effective to fight against cancer cells and the spread of cancer on the body.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in their press release statement, that the favorite Ilokano dish “pukpuklo” is discovered to fight destructive enzymes that aid in the metastasis or spreading of cancer cells in the different parts of the body.
Pukpuklo can also generate healthy skin growth and stimulate the healing of rat’s skin exposed to UVB radiation, according to Dr. Ross Dizon Valquez, head of the research. He was also looking at the possibility of making cosmetics with medical benefits because of its anti-aging components.
The pukpuklo belongs to the Codium species, which are also good sources of dietary fiber, amino acids, and minerals that can be found in Ilocos Norte, Aklan, Iloilo, and Cagayan Province.
The research was also presented in the government agency’s “The Values of Philippine Flora and Fauna” symposium, as they are funded by the Department of Science and Technology-National Research.
The Department of Health (DOH) has accepted the researched positively, as Dr. Irene V. Fariñas said the department welcomed the potential drug discovery as it could lead to a low-cost alternative to a commercial drug for the treatment of cancer.
But still, there is still more research to be done to know more about its medical value, and to explore its use in the field of medicine.
