Research on the Technological Process for Manufacturing Nanovitexin as a Raw Material for the Production of Health-Protective Foods Supporting the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia, associated with impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Although many drugs are available for treatment, high cost and side effects remain major limitations. Meanwhile, oral natural active ingredients often face problems of poor solubility, low stability, and low bioavailability, requiring more effective drug delivery systems.
Vitexin is a natural flavonoid capable of lowering blood sugar by regulating metabolic enzymes, but its major limitation is poor water solubility, leading to poor absorption. To overcome this problem, the research team led by Dr. Ngo Thi Hoai Thu carried out the project “Research on the technological process for manufacturing nanovitexin as a raw material for the production of health-protective foods supporting the prevention and treatment of diabetes”, code UDPTCN.03/22-24 (2022–2025), with the aim of developing a process for manufacturing nanovitexin from the by-product of mung bean husks.
One of the outstanding results of the research team is the development of a technological process for manufacturing nanovitexin from free vitexin extracted from mung bean husks, with applications oriented toward the medical and pharmaceutical field. The nanovitexin manufacturing technology is notable for the combination of Alginate and Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), biopolymers that have been studied for use as safe drug carriers. When this carrier system comes into contact with an aqueous environment, vitexin is gradually released along with the swelling process of the polymer carrier system, helping to slow down the massive release of vitexin compared to conventional formulations, while at the same time allowing the level of vitexin in the blood to be maintained for a certain period of time and to perform its therapeutic function.
Structural diagram of the nanovitexin system
Thanks to its small size (50–70 nm), nanovitexin is far more readily absorbed into cells than the free form, while also exerting a strong free-radical scavenging effect, protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. In particular, nanovitexin has brought a breakthrough in blood sugar control thanks to its ability to inhibit starch-degrading enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), helping to minimize gastrointestinal side effects commonly seen with Western medicines. Nanovitexin is being positioned to become a potential raw material source for the production of health-protective foods that support the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes, while also having potential applications in products for liver and nerve protection.
Patent of the project UDPTCN.03/22-24
“Method for the preparation of a nanovitexin product on an Alginate/Carboxymethyl cellulose polymer matrix and the nanovitexin product obtained by this method” was granted Patent No. 45556 by the Intellectual Property Office under Decision No. 43567/QD-SHTT dated April 8, 2025. At the same time, the research team has standardized and issued the Institute of Biology’s Basic Standard (TCCS 03:2025/SH) for nanovitexin raw material, creating a foundation for production at the pilot scale.
The above results not only have profound scientific significance but also open up a promising direction in achieving self-sufficiency in high-tech pharmaceutical raw materials sourced directly from Vietnam's own agricultural by-products, contributing to enhancing the efficiency of the circular economy.
Translated by Quoc Khanh
Link to Vietnamese version
