Physico-Chemical and Biological Evaluation of the Top Three Selling Brands of 500 MG Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) Tablets

Joan  B. Santillana,; Jerry Rose   M. Balolot,; Ma. Kim Syra   D. Gonato,; Roselie  M. Ila,; Jessica  D. Mangitngit,

Physico-Chemical and Biological Evaluation of the Top Three Selling Brands of 500 MG Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) Tablets

Joan B. Santillana | Jerry Rose M. Balolot | Ma. Kim Syra D. Gonato | Roselie M. Ila | Jessica D. Mangitngit

Abstract:

The increase in usage of herbal drugs renders safety issues important. These include contamination of toxic metals, pesticide residue and microbes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate thesignificant difference in the physico-chemical and biological aspects of the top three selling brands of 500 mg Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) tablets available at different drugstores in Davao City. The physical evaluation includes disintegration and friability tests in comparison with standards. Chemical evaluation includes determination of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). Meanwhile, in determining the presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and the total plate count of Coliform through biological evaluation was conducted. The study showed a significant difference based on the results of the physicochemical and biological evaluation. However, there was no significant difference in terms of physico-chemical and biological evaluation when compared with standards set by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Food and Drug Administration (BFAD). Meanwhile, the comparison of heavy metals is not significantly different, and the comparison between the biological evaluation of the 500 mg B. balsamifera such as test for Coliform, E. coli, and S. aureus were present in minimal amount only.