Milk-derived exosomes as functional nanocarriers in wound healing: Mechanisms, applications, and future directions

Wound healing presents a significant challenge in healthcare, imposing substantial physiological and economic burdens. While traditional treatments and stem cell therapies have shown benefits, milk-derived exosomes (MDEs) offer distinct advantages as a cell-free therapeutic approach. MDEs, isolated from mammalian milk, are characterized by their biocompatibility, ease of acquisition, and high yield, making them a promising tool for enhancing wound repair. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the composition, sources, and extraction methods of MDEs, with a focus on their therapeutic role in both acute and diabetic chronic wounds. MDEs facilitate wound healing through the delivery of bioactive molecules, modulating key processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. Their ability to regulate complex wound-healing pathways underscores their potential for widespread clinical application. This review highlights the importance of MDEs in advancing wound management and proposes strategies to optimize their use in regenerative medicine.