Proof-of-Concept Study on the Use of Tangerine-Derived Nanovesicles as siRNA Delivery Vehicles toward Colorectal Cancer Cell Line SW480

Plant-derived nanovesicles and therapeutic application

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) are becoming more popular as promising therapeutic tools owing to their diversity, cost-effectiveness, and biocompatibility with very low toxicity. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the methods for isolating and characterizing PDNVs and emphasize their versatile roles in direct therapeutic applications and drug delivery systems. Their ability to effectively encapsulate and deliver large nucleic acids, proteins, and small-molecule drugs was highlighted. Moreover, advanced engineering strategies, such as surface modification and fusion with other vesicles, have been developed to enhance the therapeutic effects of PDNVs. Additionally, we describe key challenges related to this field, encouraging further research to optimize PDNVs for various clinical applications for prevention and therapeutic purposes. The distinctive properties and diverse applications of PDNVs could play a crucial role in the future of personalized medicine, fostering the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Extracellular vesicles in uveal melanoma - Biological roles and diagnostic value

Uveal melanoma (UM), which originates from the uveal tract of the eye, is the most common and aggressive intraocular cancer in adults. The detection of genetic markers is crucial for an accurate diagnosis, but this requires tumor biopsies that can be challenging to obtain. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as potential biomarkers for UM due to their presence in biological fluids and their ability to carry disease-related biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Increasing evidence indicates that EVs released from UM cells play crucial roles in UM development, including cancer progression, pre-metastatic niche formation, and metastasis. Moreover, many studies have demonstrated that UM-derived EVs carry proteins and microRNAs that might be used as biomarkers. This review explores the role of EVs in UM, focusing on their biological functions and their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of UM. Additionally, current challenges to the use of UM-derived EVs in clinical translation were identified, as well as perspectives and future directions in the field.

Enhancing therapeutic efficacy through degradation of endogenous extracellular matrix in primary breast tumor spheroids

Solid tumors have a complex extracellular matrix (ECM) that significantly affects tumor behavior and response to therapy. Understanding the ECM's role is crucial for advancing cancer research and treatment. This study established an in vitro model using primary cells isolated from a rat breast tumor to generate three-dimensional spheroids. Monolayer cells and spheroid cultures exhibited different protein expression patterns, with primary tumor spheroids presenting an increased level of ECM-related proteins and a more complex extracellular environment. Furthermore, spheroids produce endogenous collagen type I matrix, which is the main component of the tumoral ECM. This matrix is arranged predominantly around the 3D structure, mimicking the conditions of solid tumors. Treatments with recombinant collagenases class II (acting on the linear collagen region) and class I (acting on the 3D-helix region) completely degrade collagen within the spheroid structure. Collagenase pretreatment enhances the accessibility of the anticancer drug doxorubicin to penetrate the core of spheroids and sensitize them to doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. Our findings highlight the importance of overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer by targeting the ECM and proposing a novel strategy for improving therapeutic outcomes in solid tumors. By employing a three-dimensional spheroid model, with an endogenous ECM, we can offer more relevant insights into tumor biology and treatment responses.

Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Plant-Derived Exosomes: Immunomodulation, Anticancer, Anti-Aging, Anti-Melanogenesis, Detoxification, and Drug Delivery

Most eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells have the potential to secrete a group of structures/membrane-bound organelles, collectively referred to as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which offer several advantages to producer/receiver cells. This review provides an overview of EVs from plant sources with emphasis on their health-promoting potential and possible use as therapeutic agents. This review highlights the essential biological effects of plant-derived extracellular vesicles, including immune modulation, anticancer activities, protection against chemical toxicity and pathogens, as well as anti-aging, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-arthritic effects, along with ongoing clinical studies. Evidence revealed that plant-derived EVs' contents exert their beneficial properties through regulating important signaling pathways by transferring miRNAs and other components. Taken all together, the data proposed that plant-derived EVs can be utilized as nutritional compounds and therapeutic agents, such as drug carriers. However, this emerging research area requires further in vitro/in vivo studies and clinical trials to determine the exact underlying mechanisms of EVs' positive health effects in treating various diseases.

Leveraging plant-derived nanovesicles for advanced nucleic acid-based gene therapy

Gene therapy has evolved into a pivotal approach for treating genetic disorders, extending beyond traditional methods of directly repairing or replacing defective genes. Recent advancements in nucleic acid-based therapies-including mRNA, miRNA, siRNA, and DNA treatments have expanded the scope of gene therapy to include strategies that modulate protein expression and deliver functional genetic material without altering the genetic sequence itself. This review focuses on the innovative use of plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) as a promising delivery system for these nucleic acids. PDNVs not only enhance the stability and bioavailability of therapeutic nucleic acids but also improve their specificity and efficacy in targeted gene therapy applications. They have shown potential in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and inflammatory conditions. By examining the unique properties of PDNVs and their role in overcoming the limitations of conventional delivery methods, this review highlights the transformative potential of PDNV-based nucleic acid therapies in advancing the field of gene therapy.

Overcoming drug resistance through extracellular vesicle-based drug delivery system in cancer treatment

Drug resistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy that often leads to treatment failure and disease relapse. Despite advancements in chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies, cancers often develop drug resistance, making these treatments ineffective. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained attention for their potential applications in drug delivery because of their natural origin, biocompatibility, and ability to cross biological barriers. Using the unique properties of EVs could enhance drug accumulation at target sites, minimize systemic toxicity, and precisely target specific cells. Here, we discuss the characteristics and functionalization of EVs, the mechanisms of drug resistance, and the applications of engineered EVs to overcome drug resistance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in EV-based drug delivery systems and their applications in overcoming cancer drug resistance. We highlight the potential of EV-based drug delivery systems to revolutionize cancer therapy and offer promising strategies for more effective treatment modalities.

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.

Advances in preparation and engineering of plant-derived extracellular vesicles for nutrition intervention

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PLEVs), as a type of naturally occurring lipid bilayer membrane structure, represent an emerging delivery vehicle with immense potential due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, shield them from external environmental stresses, control release, exhibit biocompatibility, and demonstrate biodegradability. This comprehensive review analyzes engineering preparation strategies for natural vesicles, focusing on PLEVs and their purification and surface engineering. Furthermore, it encompasses the latest advancements in utilizing PLEVs to transport active components, serving as a nanotherapeutic system. The prospects and potential development of PLEVs are also discussed. It is anticipated that this work will not only address existing knowledge gaps concerning PLEVs but also provide valuable guidance for researchers in the fields of food science and biomedical studies, stimulating novel breakthroughs in plant-based therapeutic options.

A Systematic Review on Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Drug Delivery Systems

This systematic review offers a comprehensive analysis of plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) as emerging drug delivery systems, focusing on original research articles published between 2016 and 2024 that exclusively examine the use of PDEVs for drug delivery. After a rigorous search across multiple databases, 20 relevant studies out of 805 initial results were selected for analysis. This review systematically summarizes the critical data on PDEV components, isolation methods, and drug-loading techniques. It highlights the potential of PDEVs to significantly enhance drug safety and efficacy, reduce dosage and toxicity, and align drug development with sustainable and environmentally friendly biotechnological processes. This review also emphasizes the advantages of PDEVs over mammalian-derived vesicles, such as cost-effectiveness, higher yield, and reduced immunogenicity. Additionally, it explores the synergistic potential between encapsulated drugs and bioactive compounds naturally present in PDEVs. This study acknowledges the challenges in standardizing isolation and formulation methods for clinical use. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the current state and future directions of PDEV-based drug delivery systems, highlighting their promising role in advancing pharmaceutical research and development.

Industrial-produced lemon nanovesicles ameliorate experimental colitis-associated damages in rats via the activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses and microbiota modification

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have recently emerged as natural delivery systems of biofunctional compounds toward mammalian cells. Considering their already described composition, anti-inflammatory properties, stability, and low toxicity, PDNVs offer a promising path for developing new preventive strategies for several inflammatory diseases, among which the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we explore the protective effects of industrially produced lemon vesicles (iLNVs) in a rat model of IBD. Characterization of iLNVs reveals the presence of small particles less than 200 nm in size and a profile of bioactive compounds enriched in flavonoids and organic acids with known beneficial properties. In vitro studies on human macrophages confirm the safety and anti-inflammatory effects of iLNVs, as evidenced by the reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased levels of anti-inflammatory markers. As evidenced by in vivo experiments, pre-treatment with iLNVs significantly alleviates symptoms and histological features in 2,4 dinitrobenzensulfuric acid (DNBS)-induced colitis in rats. Molecular pathway analysis reveals modulation of NF-κB and Nrf2, indicating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Finally, iLNVs affects gut microbiota composition, improving the consistent colitis-related alterations. Overall, we demonstrated the protective role of industrially produced lemon nanovesicles against colitis and emphasized their potential in managing IBD through multifaceted mechanisms.