What Are Plant-Derived Nanovesicles?
Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) are nano-scale membranous vesicles secreted by plant cells that carry biologically active molecules such as lipids, proteins, RNAs, and secondary metabolites. They represent a subclass of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that facilitate intercellular communication and molecular transfer not only within plant systems but also across species boundaries.
Unlike classical plant extracts (which are bulk mixtures of phytochemicals), PDNVs are natural nano-carriers with defined phospholipid bilayers that protect internal cargo and influence biological uptake and biodistribution.
Figure 1. Overview of the applications and benefits of PDNVs and developments in the field[1].
In recent years, PDNVs have gained significant attention in both basic science and therapeutic research—including inflammation modulation, tissue repair, anti-aging, and targeted drug delivery—due to their biocompatible nature, low immunogenicity, and scalable extraction from abundant plant sources.
What Makes Plant Nanovesicles Scientifically Unique?
Plant nanovesicles share many biophysical features with animal-derived exosomes (e.g., size range, lipid bilayer structure), yet they are distinct in origin and composition. PDNVs are typically isolated from apoplastic fluid, plant juices, or homogenized tissues and contain plant-specific bioactives that reflect their source species.
Key characteristics include:
- Nano-scale size (typically 30-500 nm) enabling tissue penetration and cellular uptake.
- Rich molecular cargo (RNAs, lipids, enzymes, phytonutrients) that mirror the metabolic profile of the parent plant.
- Natural stability under physiological conditions, supporting oral or topical administration.
Because PDNVs encapsulate bioactive plant compounds within their vesicular structure, they can enhance absorption, protect cargo from degradation, and improve specificity compared to free phytochemical extracts.
How Are Plant-Derived Nanovesicles Isolated and Characterized?
The extraction of PDNVs is a scientifically rigorous process typically involving:
- Plant tissue homogenization or juice collection.
- Differential centrifugation to remove debris and concentrate nanovesicles.
- Density gradient separation (e.g., sucrose or iodixanol gradients) to purify high-quality vesicles.
- Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and electron microscopy to confirm size, morphology, and integrity.
These methods ensure that products retain consistent particle size distributions and biological cargo profiles, which are critical for reliable bioactivity and application reproducibility in research or formulation science.
Figure 2. Isolation and preparation of PDNVs. PDNVs were isolated and purified by (A1) differential ultracentrifugation, (A2) sucrose gradient centrifugation, (B) ultrafiltration, (C) size exclusion chromatography, and (D) immunoaffinity capture[2].
How Do Plant Nanovesicles Interact With Biological Systems?
PDNVs facilitate cross-kingdom communication—meaning they can interact with mammalian cells and influence human biological pathways. Studies have shown that PDNVs are taken up by human cell lines and can deliver functional proteins and other cargos efficiently.
Mechanistically, PDNVs:
- Fuse with cell membranes or are endocytosed, enabling cargo delivery.
- Modulate cellular signaling, including anti-inflammatory and immune-related pathways.
- Deliver small RNAs capable of influencing gene expression in recipient cells.
These properties make PDNVs promising vectors for therapeutic molecules, as well as standalone bioactives with intrinsic benefits derived from their plant sources.
Figure 3. PDNV composition and mechanism of action. The recognition and binding of β-glucan from oat-derived nanovesicles and HPCA from microglia; galactose from tea-derived nanovesicles and the C-type galactose receptor from macrophages; and Lectin II from garlic-derived nanovesicles and the CD98 receptor from liver cells[3].
Alfa Chemistry's Plant-Derived Nanovesicle Portfolio
Alfa Chemistry offers a scientifically curated list of plant nanovesicles, each with unique source profiles and potential research or formulation benefits.
How Can Plant Nanovesicles Be Applied in Research and Product Development?
Biomedical Research: How Can Plant-Derived Nanovesicles Function as Natural Drug Carriers?
In biomedical research, PDNVs are increasingly investigated as naturally occurring nanocarriers capable of transporting therapeutic molecules across biological barriers. Owing to their lipid bilayer architecture and intrinsic cargo-protection capability, PDNVs can encapsulate small molecules, nucleic acids, or endogenous phytochemicals and deliver them efficiently to target cells.
Experimental studies have demonstrated that PDNVs can modulate inflammatory pathways, regulate immune cell behavior, and promote tissue repair by transferring bioactive lipids and regulatory RNAs into recipient mammalian cells. In disease models related to inflammation, metabolic disorders, and tissue injury, PDNVs exhibit low cytotoxicity and minimal immunogenicity, making them attractive alternatives to synthetic nanoparticles. Their plant origin also enables scalable production and structural diversity, providing a flexible platform for next-generation drug delivery research and therapeutic development.
Figure 4. PDNVs perform as drug delivery nanocarriers. (a) Drug loading methods of PDNVs. (b) Engineering strategies of PDNVs. (c) Construction of ELNs inspired nanovesicles[4].
Nutraceutical Delivery: How Can Plant Nanovesicles Improve Oral Bioavailability?
The oral delivery of bioactive compounds is often limited by poor solubility, enzymatic degradation, and low intestinal absorption. PDNVs address these challenges by acting as protective and biocompatible carriers capable of preserving sensitive phytochemicals during gastrointestinal transit. Their natural lipid composition supports interaction with intestinal epithelial cells, potentially enhancing uptake through endocytosis or membrane fusion mechanisms.
Emerging research indicates that PDNVs can remain structurally stable in the digestive environment and deliver their cargo to intestinal cells or immune-associated tissues. This positions PDNVs as a valuable platform for next-generation nutraceutical formulations, particularly for functional foods, botanical supplements, and precision nutrition research.
Cosmetic & Anti-Aging Science: How Do Plant Nanovesicles Enhance Topical Bioactive Delivery?
In cosmetic and dermatological research, PDNVs offer a novel delivery system for plant-derived active ingredients that addresses the long-standing limitations of conventional botanical extracts. Traditional formulations often suffer from poor skin penetration and rapid degradation of active compounds. By contrast, PDNVs protect sensitive phytochemicals within nano-sized vesicles that can interact more effectively with the skin barrier.
Studies suggest that PDNVs can facilitate transdermal absorption, enhance cellular uptake by keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and support antioxidative and regenerative signaling pathways within the skin. These properties make them particularly promising for anti-aging, skin barrier repair, and oxidative stress mitigation applications.
Figure 5. The biological functions of PDNVs and their applications in promoting tissue repair and combating aging[1].
Functional Biological Studies: How Do Plant Nanovesicles Enable Cross-Kingdom Signaling Research?
One of the most scientifically intriguing applications of PDNVs lies in cross-kingdom communication research, a rapidly expanding field exploring how plant-derived biomolecules influence mammalian biological systems. PDNVs have been shown to carry small RNAs, lipids, and proteins capable of interacting with mammalian cellular machinery after uptake. These findings challenge traditional boundaries between plant and animal biology and provide experimental tools to investigate how dietary plants may exert regulatory effects at the molecular level.
Conclusion
Plant-derived nanovesicles represent a scientific convergence of plant biology, nanotechnology, and translational research. Their inherent advantages—natural composition, extensive botanical diversity, and intrinsic bioactive cargo—position them as compelling alternatives or complements to traditional phytochemicals and synthetic nanocarriers.
At Alfa Chemistry, our curated plant nanovesicle products empower researchers and developers to explore new frontiers in therapeutics, functional biology, and high-performance formulations using nature's own nano-scale delivery systems.
References
- Zheng Y., et al. Plant-Derived Nanovesicles: A Promising Frontier in Tissue Repair and Antiaging. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2025, 73(22), 13159-13177.
- Li A., et al. Plant-derived nanovesicles: Further exploration of biomedical function and application potential. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. 2023, 13(8), 3300-3320.
- Chen X., et al. Plant-derived nanovesicles: harnessing nature's power for tissue protection and repair. J Nanobiotechnology. 2023, 21(1), 445.
- Wang R., et al. Plant-derived nanovesicles: Promising therapeutics and drug delivery nanoplatforms for brain disorders. Fundamental Research. 2025, 5(2), 830-850.
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