Safety and efficacy of health supplement (Pegaga based product)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this review is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a product containing Pegaga and to understand the related marketing issues. Methodology: A review regarding registration of product was conducted by examining the registration in National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB), Ministry of Health (MOH) of Malaysia and the profile of product was evaluated by assessing the online MIMS, Micromedex, and www.globinmed.com. Besides that, an electronic search was conducted through searching at ScienceDirect, EMBASE, CINAHL to assess the safety and efficacy of the product. Malaysia Advertisement Board was referred to evaluate the marketing issue using Dimaz Kapsul Herbanika Pegaga Plus as a case example. Results: According to (NPCB), (MOH), Dimaz Kapsul Herbanika Pegaga Plus is listed under traditional product with registration number “MAL13095058T.” They claimed this product contained herbs called Centella asiatica and have many indications as their advertisement. Dimaz Kapsul Herbanika Pegaga Plus widely advertised throughout social media such as Facebook, website services, and online marketing. Thus, there are a few issues related to marketing that against the Medicine Advertisement Board. Moreover, a review on safety and efficacy of C. asiatica from study on human reported that C. asiatica is effective in enhanced working memory, for improvement of the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, reducing the sensory symptoms in diabetic mellitus neuropathy, and improves physical performance in elderly. Study on animal and in vitro reported C. asiatica have an anti-tumor effect, anti-nociceptive effects, wrong healing property, antigenotoxic effect, and reduce blood glucose by demonstrate glucose-fiber binding. Conclusions: Most traditional products claim contained herbs and have many indication although not proven by evidence based. Hence, consumers must be more selective before buying any health products. MOH continuing demonstrate enforcement action and educating the public in this matter. More research also must be conducted to confirm the efficacy and the appropriate dose for a particular situation either for prevention or treatment of disease.

Keywords

• Centella asiatica
• efficacy
• Pegaga
• safety
• traditional product