Dandelion-derived vesicles-laden hydrogel dressings capable of neutralizing Staphylococcus aureus exotoxins for the care of invasive wounds

A novel hydrogel loaded with plant exosomes and stem cell exosomes as a new strategy for treating diabetic wounds

Diabetic wound healing is constrained by various factors, including chronic inflammation, sustained oxidative stress, impaired angiogenesis, and abnormal wound microenvironments. Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exo) contain a wealth of bioactive substances that play a positive role in promoting diabetic wound healing. Plant-derived exosomes, as a novel therapeutic approach, are continuously being explored. Momordica charantia (MC) has been shown to possess blood glucose-lowering effects, and its exosomes are of significant relevance for treating diabetic wounds. However, direct application of exosomes to wounds faces challenges such as poor stability and short retention time, limiting their therapeutic effectiveness and clinical applicability. Encapsulating exosomes in hydrogels is an effective strategy to preserve their bioactivity. In this study, we fabricated a hydrogel loaded with MSC-exo and MC exosomes (MC-exo) by photopolymerization of methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) and dopamine (MEMC-Gel). The resulting MEMC-Gel exhibited favorable mechanical properties, adhesion, degradability, absorbency, and biocompatibility. In vitro, MEMC-Gel demonstrated the ability to resist inflammation, counter oxidative stress, promote fibroblast migration, support endothelial cell angiogenesis, and regulate macrophage polarization. In a diabetic mouse wound model, MEMC-Gel accelerated wound healing by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, modulating macrophage immune responses and hyperglycemia within the microenvironment, promoting angiogenesis, and enhancing epithelialization. In conclusion, MEMC-Gel is an outstanding hydrogel dressing that synergistically promotes repair by loading MSC-exo and MC-exo, significantly accelerating diabetic wound healing through multiple mechanisms. This multifunctional hydrogel, based on exosomes from two different sources, provides an innovative therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound repair with broad clinical application potential.

Plant-Derived Nanovesicles: A Promising Frontier in Tissue Repair and Antiaging

In recent years, mammal-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been widely used in studies on tissue repair and antiaging. Their therapeutic potential lies in mediating intercellular communication through the transfer of various bioactive molecules. As research on nanovesicles progresses, plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have attracted growing attention as a promising alternative. As an emerging cross-species regulatory "natural force", PDNVs have attracted considerable interest due to their excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and remarkable therapeutic effects in tissue injury and aging-related diseases. In this review, we examine the bioactive components, drug delivery potential, and functional mechanisms of PDNVs, and we summarize recent advances in their applications for tissue repair and antiaging. In addition, we systematically discuss the major challenges and limitations hindering the clinical translation and industrialization of PDNVs, and we propose five strategic approaches along with future research directions. This review aims to promote further investigation of PDNVs in regenerative medicine and enhance their potential for clinical application.

How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Play a Role In Nanomedicine? A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a time-honored practice rooted in natural therapeutics, has served as a cornerstone in safeguarding human health across millennia, aiding in disease mitigation and life vitality preservation. However, many TCM active ingredients suffer from poor solubility, low bioavailability, uncertain toxicity and weak targeting ability. Nanomedicine represents a modern scientific frontier, emerging from the precise engineering of unique nanoscale characteristics, with extensive applications encompassing targeted therapeutic delivery and diverse biomedical fields. Although TCM and nanomedicine diverge fundamentally in historical origins and disciplinary foundations, growing investigations demonstrate their synergistic potential. In this review, nanosized TCM has been revealed as an innovative therapeutic strategy with significant clinical value. Based on the biological activities and structural characteristics of TCM active ingredients, we classify them into two categories: natural nanostructured formulations for TCM and nano-drug delivery systems for TCM. A systematic and comprehensive analysis of preparations specific and functions to two classes of TCM nanomedicines is highlighted. Insights into the advantage of TCM nanomedicines are also introduced. Subsequently, the applications of TCM nanomedicines in the biomedical treatment, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial are summarized. Finally, challenges and future research directions are emphasized, aiming to offer guidance for the modernization of TCM nanomedicines.

Baicalein based nano-delivery system restores mitochondrial homeostasis through PPAR signaling pathway to promote wound healing in diabetes

Wound healing in diabetes is a substantial clinical challenge due to the hyperglycemic microenvironment, high pH, bacterial infection, persistent inflammation, and impaired cellular functions, attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we have developed an injectable photo-crosslinking nanocomposite hydrogel (BA/GOx@ZIF-8@GelMA, BGZ@GelMA) with baicalein (BA) and glucose oxidase (GOx) loaded Zinc metal-organic framework (ZIF-8) based on methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) to accelerate diabetic infected wound healing by regulating subcellular and cellular functions. The combination of ZIF-8 and BA gives the hydrogel excellent antibacterial properties. A high blood sugar environment triggers the release of GOx in BGZ@GelMA, reducing local glucose and pH, producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and releasing BA and Zinc ions (Zn2+). This process provides a suitable microenvironment for wound healing. Zn2+ can significantly inhibit the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and Escherichia coli (E.coli). The released BA can clear ROS in cells and mitochondria, restore mitochondrial function and stability, and make the hydrogel fundamentally improve the cell function damage induced by hyperglycemia, and ultimately promote cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. In general, our multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel provides a new strategy for diabetes wound healing at the subcellular and cellular functional levels.

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel loaded with Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis extracellular vesicles promotes wound healing

Wound healing presents a persistent challenge, particularly in enhancing tissue regeneration and mitigating inflammation. Conventional wound dressings often fall short in providing adequate protection against microbial infections and do not fully support the regenerative processes necessary for effective healing. In this study, extracellular vesicles (PPEVs) were successfully isolated from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, with an average particle size of 156.8 ± 13.15 nm and a zeta potential of -15 ± 2.54 mV. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed that the PPEVs exhibited an irregular spherical shape, characteristics of extracellular vesicles. PPEVs demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α by >1.5 times relative to the model group. Additionally, PPEVs promoted the expression of epidermal growth factor and collagen mRNA, exhibiting potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, with 50 % reduction in ROS levels in the high-concentration group compared to the positive control. To facilitate the controlled delivery of PPEVs and promote wound healing, a composite hydrogel was developed by incorporating polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) through physical crosslinking. The hydrogel exhibited high porosity (43.6 ± 7.2 %) and remarkable swelling capacity (445.4 ± 38.3 %), with a drug release of 61.3 ± 11.8 % within 6 h. Rheological analysis revealed that the hydrogel exhibited pseudoplastic behavior and elastic characteristics, with good thermal stability. In vivo studies demonstrated that the wound healing rate in the PPEVs@PVP/CMC hydrogel group on day 7 (82.17 ± 5.44 %) was significantly higher than that of the control group (58.5 ± 12.15 %). On day 14, the wounds in the PPEVs@PVP/CMC group were nearly completely healed, with a healing rate of 99.66 ± 0.42 %, significantly surpassing the control group (95.85 ± 0.90 %). Therefore, the PPEVs@PVP/CMC hydrogel can serve as a safe and efficient wound dressing to regulate the inflammatory response and accelerate wound healing in mice. This finding suggests that utilizing the PPEVs@PVP/CMC hydrogel may be a promising strategy for wound healing.

Natural Turmeric-Derived Nanovesicles-Laden Metal-Polyphenol Hydrogel Synergistically Restores Skin Barrier in Atopic Dermatitis via a Dual-Repair Strategy

Skin barrier impairment is critical in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD), increasing vulnerability to external pathogens and disrupting cell metabolism, which leads to inflammatory stress and immune imbalance. In this study, a natural turmeric-derived nanovesicle (TDNV)-laden metal polyphenol hydrogel, termed Fe-HD@TDNV is proposed, to synergistically restore the compromised skin barrier in AD through a dual-repair strategy. The TDNV effectively regulates metabolic activity by upregulating the expression of skin barrier proteins, antioxidant enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in keratinocytes, thereby reinforcing barrier integrity and combating pathogens. Simultaneously, the Fe-HD hydrogel, cross-linked by Fe3⁺ ions and hyaluronic acid-graft-dopamine (HD), provides superior skin compatibility and establishes a low oxidative stress environment for potentiating the therapeutic efficacy of TDNV. By improving skin barrier conditions, the Fe-HD@TDNV hydrogel exhibited desirable performance in maintaining better skin hydration, reducing epidermal thickness, and decreasing abnormal immune responses in acute skin disruption models and AD models. This work is expected to offer insights into the cross-kingdom regulation between plant-derived nanovesicles and mammals, as well as the design of disease-specific dual-functional repair strategies.

Application of plant-derived extracellular vesicles as novel carriers in drug delivery systems: a review

INTRODUCTION

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (P-EVs) are nanoscale, lipid bilayer vesicles capable of transporting diverse bioactive substances, enabling intercellular and interspecies communication and material transfer. With inherent pharmacological effects, targeting abilities, high safety, biocompatibility, and low production costs, P-EVs are promising candidates for drug delivery systems, offering significant application potential.

AREAS COVERED

A comprehensive review of studies on P-EVs was conducted through extensive database searches, including PubMed and Web of Science, spanning the years 1959 to 2025. Drawing on animal and cellular model research, this review systematically analyzes the pharmacological activities of P-EVs and their advantages as drug delivery carriers. It also explores P-EVs' drug loading methods, extraction techniques, and application prospects, including their benefits, clinical potential, and feasibility for commercial expansion.

EXPERT OPINION

Establishing unified preparation standards and conducting a more comprehensive analysis of molecular composition, structural characteristics, and mechanisms of P-EVs are essential for their widespread application. Greater attention should be given to the potential synergistic or antagonistic effects between P-EVs as carriers and the drugs they deliver, as this understanding will enhance their practical applications. In conclusion, P-EVs-based drug delivery systems represent a promising strategy to improve treatment efficacy, reduce side effects, and ensure drug stability.

Janus adhesive bio-patches with targeted drug delivery enabled anti-bacteria and pro-angiogenesis for dura mater repair

Dural injuries often result in severe complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, intracranial infections, and brain herniation, which significantly impact patient recovery and quality of life. Conventional dural repair materials, which rely on suturing to peripheral tissues, fail to promote tissue regeneration and provide sufficient CSF leakage prevention, leading to suboptimal outcomes. To address these limitations, we developed a Janus adhesive bio-patch with both antibacterial and pro-angiogenic properties to enhance dura mater repair. This bio-patch consisted of a polyacrylic acid (PAA) adhesive gel layer loaded with vancomycin and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), integrated onto a small intestinal submucosa (SIS) extracellular matrix. It exhibited a burst strength of 20.50±2.89kPa, effectively sealing CSF leaks, while demonstrating excellent antibacterial efficacy (∼99%) and significant enhanced angiogenesis (3.47-fold higher than the control). In rat, rabbit, and dog dural injury models, the bio-patch adhered seamlessly to the injury site, successfully preventing leaks and promoting tissue regeneration. These results highlighted the Janus adhesive bio-patch as a promising solution for improving dural repair in neurosurgery, offering a safer and more effective alternative to conventional suturing techniques.

Plant extracellular vesicles as emerging neuroprotective agents for central nervous system disorders

BACKGROUND

Plant extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have emerged important roles in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. PEVs are nanoscale vesicles (30-150 nm) that mediate intercellular communication and exhibit unique therapeutic potential due to their natural biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity, and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). With increasing interest in neurotherapeutics, PEVs offer promising applications for CNS disorders by overcoming delivery barriers and reducing adverse effects associated with synthetic nanoparticles.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of PEVs in CNS disorders, focusing on their mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, and advantages over mammalian extracellular vesicles (MEVs) and synthetic delivery systems. It also highlights emerging research, challenges, and future directions for their clinical translation.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

PEVs, derived from fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, contain bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, microRNAs (miRNAs) and nucleic acids. These vesicles demonstrate the ability to traverse the BBB through receptor-mediated transport and membrane fusion, delivering therapeutic effects for CNS disorders, including neuroinflammation, ischemic stroke, and gliomas. Their pharmacological benefits stem from active metabolites, such as gingerols, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which modulate immune responses, maintain BBB integrity, and reduce neuronal apoptosis. Despite their advantages, challenges such as efficient extraction methods, standardization, and scalability remain obstacles to clinical application. Addressing these issues through advanced extraction techniques, improved characterization, and optimized drug loading strategies can enhance the clinical utility of PEVs.

Extracellular Vesicles-in-Hydrogel (EViH) targeting pathophysiology for tissue repair

Regenerative medicine endeavors to restore damaged tissues and organs utilizing biological approaches. Utilizing biomaterials to target and regulate the pathophysiological processes of injured tissues stands as a crucial method in propelling this field forward. The Extracellular Vesicles-in-Hydrogel (EViH) system amalgamates the advantages of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and hydrogels, rendering it a prominent biomaterial in regenerative medicine with substantial potential for clinical translation. This review elucidates the development and benefits of the EViH system in tissue regeneration, emphasizing the interaction and impact of EVs and hydrogels. Furthermore, it succinctly outlines the pathophysiological characteristics of various types of tissue injuries such as wounds, bone and cartilage injuries, cardiovascular diseases, nerve injuries, as well as liver and kidney injuries, underscoring how EViH systems target these processes to address related tissue damage. Lastly, it explores the challenges and prospects in further advancing EViH-based tissue regeneration, aiming to impart a comprehensive understanding of EViH. The objective is to furnish a thorough overview of EViH in enhancing regenerative medicine applications and to inspire researchers to devise innovative tissue engineering materials for regenerative medicine.

Plant Extracellular Nanovesicle-Loaded Hydrogel for Topical Antibacterial Wound Healing In Vivo

Bacterial infections impede wound healing and pose significant challenges in clinical care. There is an immediate need for safe and targeted antivirulence agents to fight bacterial infections effectively. In this regard, bioderived nanovesicles have shown significant promise. This work demonstrated significant antibacterial properties of extracellular nanovesicles derived from plant (mint) leaf juice (MENV). A hydrogel (HG) was developed using oxidized alginate and chitosan and loaded with antibacterial MENVs (MENV-HG). This formulation was investigated for topical HG dressings to treat Gram-positive Micrococcus luteus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli-invasive wounds. The developed HG was injectable, biocompatible (>95% cell was viable), nonhemolytic (<5% hemolytic capacity), self-healing and exhibited strong physical and mechanical interactions with the bacteria cells (MENV-HG-treated bacteria were significantly more elastic compared to the control in both M. luteus (1.01 ± 0.3 MPa, p < 0.005 vs 5.03 ± 2.6) and E. coli (5.81 ± 2.1 MPa vs 10.81 ± 3.8, p < 0.005). MENV-HG was topically applied on wounds with a slow MENV release profile, ensuring effective healing. These in vivo results demonstrated decreased inflammation and expedited healing within 10 days of treatment (wound area closure was 99% with MENV-HG treatment and 87% for control). Taken together, MENV-HGs have the potential for a scalable and sustainable wound dressing strategy that works satisfactorily for bacteria-infected wound healing and to be validated in clinical trials.

Ultrafast enzyme-responsive hydrogel for real-time assessment and treatment optimization in infected wounds

Monitoring wound infection and providing appropriate treatment are crucial for achieving favorable outcomes. However, the time-consuming nature of laboratory culture tests may delay timely intervention. To tackle this challenge, a simple yet effective HDG hydrogel, composed of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), dopamine, and GelMA polymer, is developed for the ultrafast detection and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections. The HDG hydrogel detects SA by exploiting its secreted catalase to catalyze H₂O₂, producing oxygen, which in turn accelerates the polymerization of colorless dopamine into deep brown polydopamine (PDA). The bacterial detection process takes only 10 min with high sensitivity, and the results can be readily recognized by the naked eye or quantified using a cell phone-based digital analysis. Moreover, the HDG hydrogel provides a dual antibacterial mechanism through chemical and photothermal therapies via the generated PDA, significantly improving bacterial clearance. In animal experiments, the HDG hydrogel demonstrated promising capabilities in monitoring and eliminating bacteria, enhancing collagen deposition, reducing inflammation, and promoting the healing of infected wounds. This multifunctional design offers an enzyme-responsive strategy for the rapid assessment and management of infections, simplifying infection evaluation and facilitating the development of advanced wound dressings.

Innovative Hydrogel Design: Tailoring Immunomodulation for Optimal Chronic Wound Recovery

Despite significant progress in tissue engineering, the full regeneration of chronic wounds persists as a major challenge, with the immune response to tissue damage being a key determinant of the healing process's quality and duration. Post-injury, a crucial aspect is the transition of macrophages from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory. Thus, this alteration in macrophage polarization presents an enticing avenue within the realm of regenerative medicine. Recent advancements have entailed the integration of a myriad of cellular and molecular signals into hydrogel-based constructs, enabling the fine-tuning of immune cell activities during different phases. This discussion explores modern insights into immune cell roles in skin regeneration, underscoring the key role of immune modulation in amplifying the overall efficacy of wounds. Moreover, a comprehensive review is presented on the latest sophisticated technologies employed in the design of immunomodulatory hydrogels to regulate macrophage polarization. Furthermore, the deliberate design of hydrogels to deliver targeted immune stimulation through manipulation of chemistry and cell integration is also emphasized. Moreover, an overview is provided regarding the influence of hydrogel properties on immune traits and tissue regeneration process. Conclusively, the accent is on forthcoming pathways directed toward modulating immune responses in the milieu of chronic healing.

Chinese herbal medicine-derived extracellular vesicles as novel biotherapeutic tools: present and future

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid bilayer-enclosed biological particles that are secreted by almost all living cells including animals, plants, and microorganisms. Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) have a long history of using plant-based remedies to treat and prevent human diseases. Chinese herbal medicine-derived extracellular vesicle (CHMEV) generic term refers to nanoscale membrane structures isolated from medicinal plants such as ginseng, ginger, and Panax notoginseng. In recent years, CHMEVs have garnered substantial attention as a novel class of functional components due to their high bioavailability, safety, easy accessibility, and diverse therapeutic effects, indicating their great potential for development as a new dosage form of CHM. Research on CHMEVs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a prominent area of interest, opening new avenues for further exploration into the therapeutic effects and functional mechanisms of CHM. Nonetheless, as an emerging field, there is much unknown about these vesicles, and current research remains inconsistent. The review comprehensively summarizes the biogenesis, isolation methods, and physical, and biochemical characterizations of CHMEVs. Additionally, we highlight their biomedical applications as therapeutic agents and drug delivery carriers, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, regenerative, and antiaging activities. Finally, we propose current challenges and future perspectives. By summarizing the existing literature, we aim to offer valuable clues and inspiration for future CHMEV research, thereby facilitating research standardization of CHMEVs in the treatment of human diseases and drug discovery.

Plant-Derived Exosome-Like Nanovesicles in Chronic Wound Healing

The incidence of chronic wounds is steadily increasing each year, yet conventional treatments for chronic wounds yield unsatisfactory results. The delayed healing of chronic wounds significantly affects patient quality of life, placing a heavy burden on patients, their families, and the healthcare system. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new treatment methods for chronic wounds. Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs) may be able to accelerate chronic wound healing. PELNs possess advantages such as good accessibility (due in part to high isolation yields), low immunogenicity, and good stability. Currently, there are limited reports regarding the role of PELNs in chronic wound healing and their associated mechanisms, highlighting their novelty and the necessity for further research. This review aims to provide an overview of PELNs, discussing isolation methods, composition, and their mechanisms of action in chronic wound healing. Finally, we summarize future opportunities and challenges related to the use of PELNs for the treatment of chronic wounds, and offer some new insights and solutions.

The phytochemical and pharmacological profile of dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum genus), a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family is widely distributed in hillside grasslands, roadsides, fields, and river beaches in middle and low-altitude areas. It has a long history of traditional Chinese medicine usage as a heat-clearing and detoxifying agent, often consumed as tea or vegetable. Multiple pharmacological studies have demonstrated the antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and other effects of the Taraxacum genus. Bioactive compounds associated with these effects include triterpenes and their saponins, phenolic acids, sterols and their glycosides, flavonoids, organic acids, volatile oils, and saccharides.

Exploring new avenues of health protection: plant-derived nanovesicles reshape microbial communities

Symbiotic microbial communities are crucial for human health, and dysbiosis is associated with various diseases. Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have a lipid bilayer structure and contain lipids, metabolites, proteins, and RNA. They offer unique advantages in regulating microbial community homeostasis and treating diseases related to dysbiosis compared to traditional drugs. On the one hand, lipids on PDNVs serve as the primary substances that mediate specific recognition and uptake by bacteria. On the other hand, due to the multifactorial nature of PDNVs, they have the potential to enhance growth and survival of beneficial bacterial while simultaneously reducing the pathogenicity of harmful bacteria. In addition, PDNVs have the capacity to modulate bacterial metabolism, thus facilitating the establishment of a harmonious microbial equilibrium and promoting stability within the microbiota. These remarkable attributes make PDNVs a promising therapeutic approach for various conditions, including periodontitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and skin infection diseases. However, challenges such as consistency, isolation methods, and storage need to be addressed before clinical application. This review aims to explore the value of PDNVs in regulating microbial community homeostasis and provide recommendations for their use as novel therapeutic agents for health protection.

Advances in Hydrogel-Based Drug Delivery Systems

Hydrogels, with their distinctive three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers, drive innovations across various biomedical applications. The ability of hydrogels to absorb and retain significant volumes of water, coupled with their structural integrity and responsiveness to environmental stimuli, renders them ideal for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. This review delves into the classification of hydrogels based on cross-linking methods, providing insights into their synthesis, properties, and applications. We further discuss the recent advancements in hydrogel-based drug delivery systems, including oral, injectable, topical, and ocular approaches, highlighting their significance in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, we address the challenges faced in the clinical translation of hydrogels and propose future directions for leveraging their potential in personalized medicine and regenerative healthcare solutions.