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Updated: Jul 3, 2025

Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells
Published on: December 5, 2018
Plant-derived exosomes: a green approach for cancer drug delivery
Shrishti Madhan1, Rajib Dhar1, Arikketh Devi1
1Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District - 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India. devia@srmist.edu.in.
Abstract:
Plant-derived exosomes (PDEs) are natural extracellular vesicles (EVs). In the current decade, they have been highlighted for cancer therapeutic development. Cancer is a global health crisis and it requires an effective, affordable, and less side effect-based treatment. Emerging research based on PDEs suggests that they have immense potential to be considered as a therapeutic option. Research evidences indicate that PDEs' internal molecular cargos show impressive cancer prevention activity with less toxicity. PDEs-based drug delivery systems overcome several limitations of traditional drug delivery tools. Extraction of PDEs from plant sources employ diverse methodologies, encompassing ultracentrifugation, immunoaffinity, size-based isolation, and precipitation, each with distinct advantages and limitations. The core constituents of PDEs comprise of lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA. Worldwide, a few clinical trials on plant-derived exosomes are underway, and regulatory affairs for their use as therapeutic agents are still not understood with clarity. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the current state of research on plant-derived exosomes as a promising avenue for drug delivery, highlighting anticancer activity, challenges, and future orientation in effective cancer therapeutic development.
Insights
Plant-derived exosomes (PDEs), natural vesicles from plants, show promise for cancer therapy due to their anticancer properties and low toxicity. PDEs offer a novel drug delivery system with potential for effective, affordable cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Plant-derived exosomes (PDEs) are natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) gaining attention for cancer therapeutic development.
- Cancer requires effective, affordable treatments with fewer side effects, a need PDEs may address.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current research on plant-derived exosomes for drug delivery and cancer therapy.
- To highlight the anticancer potential, challenges, and future directions of PDEs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on plant-derived exosomes.
- Analysis of extraction methodologies (ultracentrifugation, immunoaffinity, size-based isolation, precipitation).
- Examination of PDE composition (lipids, proteins, DNA, RNA) and their therapeutic implications.
Main Results:
- PDEs exhibit significant anticancer activity with reduced toxicity.
- PDE-based drug delivery systems show potential to overcome limitations of traditional methods.
- Ongoing clinical trials and evolving regulatory landscape for PDEs.
Conclusions:
- Plant-derived exosomes represent a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
- Further research is needed to clarify regulatory pathways and optimize PDE applications.
- PDEs offer a potentially effective, affordable, and less toxic approach to cancer therapy.

