Yogyakarta, August 21, 2026 — A group of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students under the BRANOVATE PKM-RE team is developing a transdermal patch based on a nanoemulsion of white rice bran extract as a candidate therapy for dyslipidemia in metabolic syndrome. The innovation combines the utilization of rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, with nanoemulsion-based transdermal drug delivery technology. The research has progressed through nanoemulsion formulation and characterization as well as patch fabrication, with drug release testing and in vivo evaluation planned as the next stages.
The development of this innovation is motivated by dyslipidemia, one of the components of metabolic syndrome that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders that may include dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and obesity. In dyslipidemia, elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Statins are currently among the primary therapies used to lower blood lipid levels. However, according to the team, long-term treatment still presents several challenges, including side effects and the need for alternative drug delivery systems. This situation encouraged BRANOVATE to explore natural materials with potential for development as candidates for dyslipidemia therapy while offering a different drug delivery approach.
White rice bran (Oryza sativa L.) was selected as the research material because it contains various bioactive compounds, including γ-oryzanol. Several studies that served as the basis for the research idea have indicated the potential of γ-oryzanol to help improve lipid profiles. However, the use of rice bran as a drug candidate faces challenges related to drug delivery and bioavailability. Therefore, the team developed the rice bran extract in a nanoemulsion system before formulating it into a transdermal patch.
In the study, the nanoemulsion was developed to produce a drug delivery system with nanosized droplets and optimized physical characteristics. The team used Miglyol as the oil phase, Tween 80 as the surfactant, propylene glycol as the cosurfactant, and isopropyl alcohol as a penetration enhancer. The formulation was characterized based on pH, viscosity, particle size and distribution, and zeta potential before being incorporated into a transdermal patch matrix based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Glycerin was used as a plasticizer, while sodium metabisulfite served as an antioxidant.
For the in vivo phase, the study involves 25 male rats randomly divided into five groups: a normal control group, a negative control group with metabolic syndrome, a positive control group receiving statins, a placebo patch group, and a treatment group receiving the rice bran extract nanoemulsion patch. The metabolic syndrome model is established through the induction of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin sodium (STZ-Na). Treatment efficacy will subsequently be evaluated based on changes in lipid profile parameters, particularly total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL.
As of the progress report, the team has completed the preparation and extraction of rice bran as well as preliminary extract analysis. The team has also conducted initial profiling using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), followed by formulation optimization, nanoemulsion characterization, and patch fabrication. The next stages will include drug release testing and in vivo evaluation to assess changes in lipid profiles in the animal model.
Fauzia Amrina Rosyada, leader of the BRANOVATE team, explained that the main strength of the innovation lies in integrating local natural materials with drug delivery technology. According to her, the team is not only exploring potential active ingredients for dyslipidemia but also developing a drug delivery system that could address formulation challenges and serve as a foundation for further development.
“Metabolic syndrome is a concern because it involves not only blood sugar disorders but also lipid profile abnormalities, or dyslipidemia, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Amid this issue, we see that white rice bran waste contains compounds with the potential to help improve lipid profiles. However, its oral use has limited bioavailability, which is why we developed rice bran in the form of a transdermal nanoemulsion,” she said.
The BRANOVATE team consists of Fauzia Amrina Rosyada and Elvira Nathania Ardiani from the Pharmacy Undergraduate Program, Class of 2023; Aurora Khanifa Jati and Cika Aida Pusparani from the Pharmacy Undergraduate Program, Class of 2024; and Najwa Rachma Marsanti from the Medical Undergraduate Program, Class of 2025. The research is supervised by Dr. apt. Adhyatmika of Universitas Gadjah Mada. The team aims for the research to provide preliminary preclinical evidence for the development of rice bran-based drug delivery systems while creating opportunities to add value to agricultural byproducts through pharmaceutical innovation.
The development of BRANOVATE also contributes to UGM’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through the development of candidate therapies for metabolic disorders, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the development of drug delivery technology, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through efforts to increase the value of rice bran as a byproduct of rice milling.
Author: BRANOVATE PKM-RE Team 2026 | Report: BRANOVATE PKM-RE Team 2026
