Contribution of Extracellular Particles Isolated from Morus sp. (Mulberry) Fruit to Their Reported Protective Health...

Area of Science:

• Plant biology
• Cell biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Morus sp. (mulberry) has traditional medicinal uses, including for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, attributed to antioxidant and wound-healing properties.
• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are found in bodily fluids, and similar plant-derived vesicles (PDVs) have been identified in plants.
• The health benefits of mulberry may be partly due to these PDVs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of PDVs isolated from Morus nigra and Morus alba in cellular responses.
• To determine if PDVs contribute to the therapeutic effects of mulberry.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of PDVs from mulberry using ultracentrifugation.
• Incubation of THP-1 monocytes, macrophages, and HMEC-1 endothelial cells with PDVs and various stimuli (DMNQ, glucose oxidase, LPS).
• Assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cytokine secretion (IL-1β, CCL2, TGF-β), cell migration, and proliferation.

Main Results:

• Mulberry PDVs differentially affected ROS production in THP-1 cells and HMEC-1 cells.
• PDVs modulated LPS-induced cytokine secretion in macrophages, increasing IL-1β while decreasing CCL2 and TGF-β.
• PDVs inhibited endothelial cell migration but promoted proliferation, indicating complex effects on wound healing.

Conclusions:

• PDVs from mulberry exhibit diverse biological activities, influencing cellular oxidative stress, inflammation, and wound healing processes.
• PDVs may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of mulberry by improving the bioavailability of active compounds and potentially delivering biomolecules.
• PDVs represent a promising mechanism for delivering plant-derived therapeutic benefits.