Could sea grapes help treat diabetes? Australia-Indonesia study launches human trials pathway
An Australia–Indonesia research team will investigate whether compounds derived from a widely consumed marine plant can be developed into a potential diabetes treatment.
Joining forces with partners across Australia and Indonesia, researchers from the ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) are studying Caulerpa racemosa—commonly known as sea grapes—which are abundant in Indonesian waters and eaten as food in parts of Southeast Asia. Laboratory studies in animals have suggested that sea grape extracts might help reduce blood glucose levels.
The new project examines how bioactive compounds extracted from sea grapes could be delivered more effectively using nanoliposome technology, with the longer-term goal of progressing toward early-stage clinical trials in humans.
From 18 to 22 May 2026, an international collaborative workshop was held in Canberra, bringing together leading researchers, academics, clinicians, policy stakeholders and institutional partners from Australia and Indonesia.
Facilitated by Dr Haribondhu Sarma from ANU and Dr Ripon Chakrabortty from UNSW Canberra, the five-day workshop included updates on research progress, discussions on clinical translation and regulatory pathways, as well as plans for future collaborations.
Participants, including Professor Retno Widyowati from Universitas Airlangga, contributed across areas such as sea grape innovation, nanoliposome development, clinical translation, artificial intelligence, and health systems research.
The workshop concluded with plans to strengthen collaboration, refine the clinical trial pathway, support future research and translation efforts at the intersection of marine biodiversity, nanotechnology and diabetes care.
To ensure that any future product is safe, effective and accessible, the researchers will next focus on preparing for early clinical testing conducted in adults with prediabetes.
The project is supported by a $498,000 BRIN-KONEKSI grant, a joint initiative between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).