Plant-derived extracellular vesicles for intestinal mucosal repair: mechanisms, microbiota-host interactions, and bioengineered delivery
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Anorectal Surgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
- 2Yanggu County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
- 3Department of Critical Care Medicine, Liaocheng People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
Abstract
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) and related nanoparticle preparations are being investigated for intestinal mucosal repair. Much of the therapeutic evidence concerns heterogeneous plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) isolated following plant tissue disruption; this review therefore distinguishes extracellularly released vesicles, tissue-derived nanoparticle preparations with unresolved origins, and reconstructed carriers. Building on foundational edible plant nanovesicle studies, we synthesize preclinical evidence across inflammatory control, structural repair, regenerative activity, and functional barrier recovery. Reported effects include modulation of macrophage activity, inflammasome signaling, and mucosal immune responses, reduced neutrophil-associated injury, epithelial protection, and improvements in junctional and mucus-associated barrier features. Intestinal stem cell responses and organoid formation support regenerative activity in selected studies, although durable regeneration remains insufficiently established. Uptake of plant-derived RNAs by gut microorganisms and metabolic relays involving tryptophan derivatives and short-chain fatty acids connect selected preparations to microbiota-host communication. Engineering strategies support drug and nucleic acid delivery, gastrointestinal protection, local colonic exposure, and cellular uptake. Evidence remains predominantly preclinical, with gaps in preparation identity, batch consistency, causal validation of active cargo, dose-exposure-response relationships, safety, and scalable manufacturing. Translation requires preparation-specific characterization and reproducible potency assays, together with integrated assessment of mucosal structure, regeneration, barrier function, and durability.
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BibTeX
@article{dong2026plantderived,
title = {{Plant-derived extracellular vesicles for intestinal mucosal repair: mechanisms, microbiota-host interactions, and bioengineered delivery}},
author = {Dianbo Dong and Xiaoyan Dong and Lina Zhang and Wei Liu},
journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2026.1997653},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2026.1997653},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Plant-derived extracellular vesicles for intestinal mucosal repair: mechanisms, microbiota-host interactions, and bioengineered delivery
AU - Dianbo Dong
AU - Xiaoyan Dong
AU - Lina Zhang
AU - Wei Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
DO - 10.3389/fbioe.2026.1997653
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2026.1997653
AB - Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) and related nanoparticle preparations are being investigated for intestinal mucosal repair. Much of the therapeutic evidence concerns heterogeneous plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) isolated following plant tissue disruption; this review therefore distinguishes extracellularly released vesicles, tissue-derived nanoparticle preparations with unresolved origins, and reconstructed carriers. Building on foundational edible plant nanovesicle studies, we synthesize preclinical evidence across inflammatory control, structural repair, regenerative activity, and functional barrier recovery. Reported effects include modulation of macrophage activity, inflammasome signaling, and mucosal immune responses, reduced neutrophil-associated injury, epithelial protection, and improvements in junctional and mucus-associated barrier features. Intestinal stem cell responses and organoid formation support regenerative activity in selected studies, although durable regeneration remains insufficiently established. Uptake of plant-derived RNAs by gut microorganisms and metabolic relays involving tryptophan derivatives and short-chain fatty acids connect selected preparations to microbiota-host communication. Engineering strategies support drug and nucleic acid delivery, gastrointestinal protection, local colonic exposure, and cellular uptake. Evidence remains predominantly preclinical, with gaps in preparation identity, batch consistency, causal validation of active cargo, dose-exposure-response relationships, safety, and scalable manufacturing. Translation requires preparation-specific characterization and reproducible potency assays, together with integrated assessment of mucosal structure, regeneration, barrier function, and durability.
SN - 2296-4185
ER -