Oral administration of tea-derived exosome-like nanoparticles protects epithelial and immune barrier of intestine from psychological stress

Potential mechanism of Camellia luteoflora against colon adenocarcinoma: An integration of network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

Camellia luteoflora is a unique variety of Camellia in China which is only distributes in Chishui City, Guizhou Province and Luzhou City, Sichuan Province. Its dried leaves are used by local residents as tea to drink with light yellow and special aroma for health care. It has high potential economic medicinal value. Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the third most frequent malignancy and its incidence and mortality is increasing. However, the current common treatments for COAD bring great side effects. In recent years, natural products and their various derivatives have shown significant potential to supplement conventional therapies and to reduce associated toxicity while improving efficacy. In order to overcome the limitations of traditional treatment methods, the global demand and development of natural anti-COAD drugs were increasingly hindered.

AIM

To investigate the potential targets and mechanisms of Camellia luteoflora anti-COAD.

METHODS

Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry was used to identified the compounds of Camellia luteoflora. Network pharmacology analysis and survival analysis was used in this study to investigate the anti-COAD effect and mechanism of Camellia luteoflora.

RESULTS

Firstly, a total of 13 compounds were identified. Secondly, 10 active ingredients for 204 potential targets were screened and protein-protein interaction analysis showed that TP53, STAT3, ESR1, MAPK8, AKR1C3, RELA, CYP19A1, CYP1A1, JUN and CYP17A1 were hub targets. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that Camellia luteoflora exerted anti-COAD effect through multiple functions and pathways. Then, the analysis of survival and stage indicated that TP53 was highly expressed in COAD and the overall survival of high-TP53 and high-CYP19A1 COAD patients was significantly shorter than the low group and there was significant difference in MAPK and RELA expression between different stages. Finally, the molecular docking results demonstrated the binding affinities and sites between active ingredients and TP53, STAT3, ESR1.

CONCLUSION

Our study systematically demonstrated the potential anti-COAD mechanism of Camellia luteoflora and provided a theoretical basis for its further application in the COAD treatment.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum-Derived Nanobiotics for Effective Against Ulcerative Colitis in Mouse Model

Introduction

Growing research is devoted to the development of plant-derived products as new therapeutic drugs to reduce side effects. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) have shown promising potential in the treatment of colitis.

Methods

As a proof of concept, the efficacy of ELNs from edible Zanthoxylum bungeanum (ZbELNs) in protecting macrophages from inflammation was determined by in vitro experiments. Moreover, we assess the therapeutic effect of ZbELNs to colitis in a mouse model.

Results

ZbELNs were found to have an ideal particle size (160.0 nm) and contain a large number of lipids, some functional proteins or metabolites, and many small RNA molecules. The in vitro experiment results revealed that ZbELN pretreatment increased cell vitality and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments indicated that oral administration of ZbELNs can significantly reduce disease activity index, increase colon length, and inhibit colon wall thickening, thereby alleviating acute colitis in dextran sulfate sodium-induced model mice. In addition, ZbELN treatment can reduce the degree of histological damage in the colon and suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in mice serum. Notably, miRNA-1 and miRNA-21 in ZbELNs showed similar therapeutic effects on macrophage inflammation.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that ZbELNs are a novel natural nanomedicine with promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of colonic diseases.

Cutting-edge insights into the mechanistic understanding of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles: Implications for intestinal homeostasis

Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDELNs) are extracted from plants such as ginger, garlic, broccoli, and others, attracting attention for their therapeutic potential due to their availability and capacity for large-scale production. Their unique physicochemical properties position PDELNs as ideal candidates for targeted gut delivery, improving intestinal health by modulating mucosal immunity, gut microbiota, and intestinal barrier integrity, all essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. PDELNs regulate intestinal barrier function through their bioactive components (e.g. microRNAs, lipids, and proteins). These vesicles enhance the expression of tight junction proteins and stimulate mucin production. Additionally, they promote intestinal stem cell proliferation and increase the secretion of antimicrobial peptides. PDELNs also modulate inflammatory cytokine levels and immune cell activity, fostering a balanced immune response. Further, they support the growth of beneficial gut microbiota and their metabolites, while suppressing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. This review summarizes recent advancements in understanding the roles of PDELNs in regulating intestinal homeostasis, focusing on their impact on mucosal immunity, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota composition, along with underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Overall, PDELNs show promise as a novel approach for treating and preventing intestinal diseases, paving the way for effective gut health interventions.

Taxus chinensis-Derived Nanovesicles Alleviate Mouse Colitis by Inhibiting Inflammatory Cytokines and Restoring Gut Microbiota

Background

Recent research has increasingly focused on plant-derived products as potential alternatives to chemotherapeutic agents, aiming to reduce side effects. Among these, plant-derived nanovesicles (NVs) have garnered significant attention for their potential in treating colitis.

Methods

In this study, we extracted NVs from the leaves (LNVs) and stems (SNVs) of Taxus, a well-known natural anti-cancer plant. The targeting ability of these NVs was evaluated in the mouse colon using an IVIS imaging system. Additionally, we assessed the therapeutic effects of these plant-derived NVs on ulcerative colitis in a mouse model.

Results

Our findings reveal that the NVs exhibit an ideal vesicle size of 150.0 nm and contain a rich array of lipids, functional proteins, and bioactive small molecules. In vitro anti-inflammatory experiments demonstrated that both LNVs and SNVs enhanced cell viability and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, neither LNVs nor SNVs induced significant cytotoxicity. In vivo, oral administration of LNVs and SNVs ameliorated colitis-related symptoms in mice and accelerated colitis resolution by suppressing the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Furthermore, 16S rDNA sequencing data suggested that LNVs play a crucial role in regulating gut microbiota.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest that plant-derived NVs from Taxus represent a promising novel natural nanomedicine for use as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of colonic diseases.

Advancing functional foods: a systematic analysis of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles and their health-promoting properties

Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs), emerging as novel bioactive agents, exhibit significant potential in food science and nutritional health. These nanoparticles, enriched with plant-specific biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and secondary metabolites, demonstrate unique cross-species regulatory capabilities, enabling interactions with mammalian cells and gut microbiota. PDENs enhance nutrient bioavailability by protecting sensitive compounds during digestion, modulate metabolic pathways through miRNA-mediated gene regulation, and exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. For instance, grape-derived PDENs reduce plasma triglycerides in high-fat diets, while ginger-derived nanoparticles alleviate colitis by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, PDENs serve as natural drug carriers, with applications in delivering therapeutic agents like doxorubicin and paclitaxel. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in standardizing extraction methods (ultracentrifugation, immunoaffinity), ensuring stability during food processing and storage, and evaluating long-term safety. Current research highlights the need for optimizing lyophilization techniques and understanding interactions between PDENs and food matrices. Furthermore, while PDENs show promise in functional food development-such as fortified beverages and probiotic formulations-their clinical translation requires rigorous pharmacokinetic studies and regulatory clarity. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on PDENs' composition, biological activities, and applications, while identifying gaps in scalability, stability, and safety assessments. Future directions emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration to harness PDENs' potential in combating metabolic disorders, enhancing food functionality, and advancing personalized nutrition strategies.