Discovery of "Exosome-like Nanoparticles" from Miyakojima's Traditional Food Medicine "Shibiran (Commonly Known as Ginseng Impatiens)"
IDO Medical Co., Ltd. / Takanawa Clinic Group has made a world-first discovery of "Exosome-like Nanoparticles (ELNs)" with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects from "Shibiran," a traditional food medicine from Miyakojima, Okinawa. This groundbreaking research was published in 'Biomedical Reports' and an online press conference is scheduled for May.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 02:02
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 17:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 17:45 (13 min after Collected)
IDO Medical Co., Ltd. / Takanawa Clinic Group (Representative and General Director: Yasushige Kageyama) has successfully identified "Exosome-like Nanoparticles (ELNs)" exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects from "Shibiran (scientific name: Talinum fruticosum)," a plant long cherished as a food medicine in Miyakojima, Okinawa, marking a world first.
This groundbreaking research, which elucidates traditional empirical knowledge at a molecular level, was published in the international scientific journal 'Biomedical Reports' on April 17, 2026. (DOI: 10.3892/br.2026.2145)
In conjunction with this announcement, an online press conference will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026.
**Research Collaboration Structure**
This research was conducted under the following collaborative structure:
* Takanawa Clinic Group
* IDO Medical Co., Ltd.
* Tokai University Hospital
By collaborating with multiple medical and research institutions, a new foundation for plant-derived exosome research has been established.
Shibiran (Commonly Known as Ginseng Impatiens)
**Background of the Research: Why "Shibiran" and "Exosomes"?**
In Miyakojima, Okinawa, Shibiran (commonly known as Ginseng Impatiens) has been traditionally used for a long time as a "food medicine" to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms, coughs, and swelling.
Conventional herbal medicine research primarily focused on low-molecular-weight components (such as vitamins and polyphenols). However, this research adopted an entirely new perspective, analyzing plant-derived exosomes (ELNs: Exosome-like Nanoparticles), a cutting-edge theme involving intercellular communication. This pioneering effort in Japan elucidated the fundamental mechanism behind Shibiran's efficacy.
**Three Key Points of the Research**
1. **"Pinpoint" Anti-inflammatory Effect with Low Side Effect Risk (B2 Fraction)**
Specific nanoparticles (B2 fraction) extracted from Shibiran inhibited IL-6, a central cause of inflammation, by up to 53.5%. It showed extremely selective anti-inflammatory effects without affecting other inflammatory cytokines.
2. **Potent Antioxidant Effect Protecting Cells (B1 Fraction)**
Another nanoparticle (B1 fraction) significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells under oxidative stress. It is expected to have a protective effect, preventing cell aging and damage.
3. **High Safety**
Both fractions were confirmed to have no cytotoxicity and to act extremely safely in vivo.
**Future Outlook (Application Potential)**
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Shibiran-derived Exosome-like Nanoparticles (ELNs) identified in this research are expected to have wide-ranging application possibilities, including:
* Application as food and supplement ingredients
* Utilization in wellness and preventive medicine
* Development as a foundational technology for inflammation and oxidative stress research
Furthermore, by contributing to the advancement of basic research related to IL-6 and oxidative stress, future application development in the medical and healthcare fields is also envisioned.
(※Medical applications are currently in the research phase and do not indicate clinical use.)
Representative and General Director Yasushige Kageyama
**Comment from Yasushige Kageyama (Representative of IDO Medical Co., Ltd. / General Director of Takanawa Clinic Group)**
"The wisdom of Shibiran, which the people of Miyakojima have long experienced as 'good for the body' and passed down through generations. This time, it has become clearly explainable not just as a tradition, but with the modern scientific term 'exosomes.' I am confident that these natural nanoparticles, without side effects, will provide a safe and fundamental approach to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress faced by modern people."
**Attached Images**
* Photo of Shibiran (Talinum fruticosum) plant
* Electron microscope image of Exosome-like Nanoparticles (ELNs)
* Photo of Representative and General Director Yasushige Kageyama
This groundbreaking research, which elucidates traditional empirical knowledge at a molecular level, was published in the international scientific journal 'Biomedical Reports' on April 17, 2026. (DOI: 10.3892/br.2026.2145)
In conjunction with this announcement, an online press conference will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026.
**Research Collaboration Structure**
This research was conducted under the following collaborative structure:
* Takanawa Clinic Group
* IDO Medical Co., Ltd.
* Tokai University Hospital
By collaborating with multiple medical and research institutions, a new foundation for plant-derived exosome research has been established.
Shibiran (Commonly Known as Ginseng Impatiens)
**Background of the Research: Why "Shibiran" and "Exosomes"?**
In Miyakojima, Okinawa, Shibiran (commonly known as Ginseng Impatiens) has been traditionally used for a long time as a "food medicine" to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms, coughs, and swelling.
Conventional herbal medicine research primarily focused on low-molecular-weight components (such as vitamins and polyphenols). However, this research adopted an entirely new perspective, analyzing plant-derived exosomes (ELNs: Exosome-like Nanoparticles), a cutting-edge theme involving intercellular communication. This pioneering effort in Japan elucidated the fundamental mechanism behind Shibiran's efficacy.
**Three Key Points of the Research**
1. **"Pinpoint" Anti-inflammatory Effect with Low Side Effect Risk (B2 Fraction)**
Specific nanoparticles (B2 fraction) extracted from Shibiran inhibited IL-6, a central cause of inflammation, by up to 53.5%. It showed extremely selective anti-inflammatory effects without affecting other inflammatory cytokines.
2. **Potent Antioxidant Effect Protecting Cells (B1 Fraction)**
Another nanoparticle (B1 fraction) significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells under oxidative stress. It is expected to have a protective effect, preventing cell aging and damage.
3. **High Safety**
Both fractions were confirmed to have no cytotoxicity and to act extremely safely in vivo.
**Future Outlook (Application Potential)**
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Shibiran-derived Exosome-like Nanoparticles (ELNs) identified in this research are expected to have wide-ranging application possibilities, including:
* Application as food and supplement ingredients
* Utilization in wellness and preventive medicine
* Development as a foundational technology for inflammation and oxidative stress research
Furthermore, by contributing to the advancement of basic research related to IL-6 and oxidative stress, future application development in the medical and healthcare fields is also envisioned.
(※Medical applications are currently in the research phase and do not indicate clinical use.)
Representative and General Director Yasushige Kageyama
**Comment from Yasushige Kageyama (Representative of IDO Medical Co., Ltd. / General Director of Takanawa Clinic Group)**
"The wisdom of Shibiran, which the people of Miyakojima have long experienced as 'good for the body' and passed down through generations. This time, it has become clearly explainable not just as a tradition, but with the modern scientific term 'exosomes.' I am confident that these natural nanoparticles, without side effects, will provide a safe and fundamental approach to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress faced by modern people."
**Attached Images**
* Photo of Shibiran (Talinum fruticosum) plant
* Electron microscope image of Exosome-like Nanoparticles (ELNs)
* Photo of Representative and General Director Yasushige Kageyama