How do cloudberry nanovesicles travel through the body? A study tracks their journey

A new study led by researchers at the University of Oulu marks an exciting milestone for the NutriEV Project. They have published the first scientific paper emerging from this pioneering research effort. Their findings reveal that nanovesicles naturally present in cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) can survive the digestive system, be absorbed safely into the bloodstream, and show potential as a gentle new approach for delivering medicines.

Cloudberries and their hidden potential

Cloudberries, treasured across the Nordic region for their nutritional richness, are known for their high content of vitamin C, polyphenols, and antioxidants. But beyond these nutrients lies something less visible yet equally powerful: nanovesicles.

Nanovesicles are nanoscale, lipid-bound particles secreted by plants. They act as tiny messengers, carrying proteins, lipids, RNA, and other biomolecules. Similar to extracellular vesicles in humans, they have attracted growing interest for their role in cell-to-cell communication. In the case of food, these plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) may play an underexplored role in how diet influences health.

The study in focus

The research, published in Nanoscale (Royal Society of Chemistry), explored whether cloudberry-derived nanovesicles (CNVs) could function as safe and effective oral drug delivery vehicles. The team used a combination of in vitro digestion systems, intestinal cell models, and animal studies to test their stability, absorption, and immune compatibility.

The results were encouraging:

• Stability in the gut: CNVs maintained their nanoscale structure and integrity under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions, resisting the effects of enzymes and pH changes.
• Absorption by intestinal cells: In cell culture models, CNVs crossed the intestinal barrier without damaging the epithelial lining.
• Safe circulation in the body: After oral administration in both young and older mice, CNVs entered the bloodstream with no harmful immune reactions.
• Age-resilient potential: Although older mice showed slower gastric emptying, CNVs were still effectively absorbed, suggesting suitability for different age groups.

These findings highlight CNVs as biocompatible, non-toxic, and stable nanocarriers that could one day transport therapeutic molecule in humans.

A researcher’s view

Keerthanaa Balasubramanian Shanthi, doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu and co-author of the paper, reflected on the breakthrough:

“This study highlights that tiny particles from cloudberry, called nanovesicles, could be a safe and effective way to deliver medicines orally. These particles have been shown to survive the harsh environment of the digestive system, get absorbed into the body without any harmful immune reactions. Tests using young and old mice show they are well-tolerated and enter bloodstream efficiently. This discovery paves the way for natural, gentle treatment for all ages with potential to target specific diseases in the future.”

Her words underscore the significance of this work: a natural, non-invasive, and age-inclusive approach to drug delivery that could complement or even replace synthetic nanoparticles.

Why this matters for the NutriEV Project

The Horizon Europe–funded NutriEV project (Grant Agreement No. 101161353) investigates nutrient-enriched extracellular vesicles from plants and fermented foods. Its aim is to explore their use as superfoods, biosensors, and therapeutic tools, particularly in addressing obesity and metabolic disorders.

The cloudberry study is directly aligned with these goals: it provides clear experimental evidence that food-derived vesicles can survive digestion and reach systemic circulation, laying the groundwork for their future use in both nutrition and medicine.

Beyond nutrition: Towards therapeutic applications

The discovery marks a shift in how we understand food. Nutrition is no longer only about macronutrients and micronutrients—it may also involve vesicles that transport biological “information.”

Potential implications include:

• Food as medicine: Plant nanovesicles could be harnessed as natural carriers for oral delivery of drugs, RNA therapies, or bioactive compounds.
• Precision nutrition: Identifying the vesicle content of foods could lead to dietary guidelines that optimise gut and metabolic health.
• Non-invasive health monitoring: Since vesicles can be traced in body fluids like blood or sweat, they may enable biosensors to track nutritional impacts in real time.

Next steps

While the results are promising, the researchers note that more studies are needed. Future work will focus on:

• Testing CNVs in specific disease models, particularly metabolic and inflammatory disorders.
• Exploring whether they can be engineered to carry therapeutic payloads.
• Moving towards clinical trials to assess safety and efficacy in humans.

A milestone for Oulu and NutriEV

The paper was led by the Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Disease Networks Research Unit at the University of Oulu, with collaboration across disciplines and international partners. It represents the first peer-reviewed publication linked to NutriEV and sets the stage for future discoveries at the intersection of food, nanotechnology, and medicine.

This work was supported by the NutriEV project, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, alongside Finnish national foundations and the University of Oulu’s Kvantum Institute.

From Arctic bogs to biomedical research, the humble cloudberry is revealing unexpected potential. Its nanovesicles are not only resilient and safe but may also carry the key to the next generation of natural, non-invasive treatments.

With this first NutriEV-linked publication, researchers from the University of Oulu have opened the door to a new chapter in nutritional medicine—one where food particles themselves could act as precision tools for health.