Plant-derived extracellular vesicles: Current status and challenges for developing a new paradigm in therapeutics development

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized vesicles surrounded by a lipid bilayer containing bioactive materials, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. They function as messengers secreted by cells, playing a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication. Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (P-EVs), secreted by plant cells, are being investigated as therapeutic agents and drug delivery carriers due to their high biocompatibility, productivity, and effective cellular delivery, exerting therapeutic effects through physiological pathways. However, methods for EV production directly from plants and P-EV identification components have not yet been established. A comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic potential and biodistribution of P-EVs is essential for their application as systemic therapeutics and drug delivery carriers. This review covers recent methods for separating P-EVs from plants and explores potential identification components for their identification. It also summarizes the intrinsic therapeutic effects and applications of engineered P-EVs. Finally, it provides tailored strategies by examining biodistribution according to the route of administration and analyzing the potential for effective delivery and therapeutic application. Given the diversity and distinctiveness of plants, the development of therapeutic agents using P-EVs shows great promise and are anticipated to create a new paradigm in therapeutics.