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Purification and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Walnut Exosome-like Nanoparticles
Shuo Zhang1, Xinhui Wang1, Shijie Zhu1
1School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 14, 2026
Summary
Researchers isolated exosome-like nanoparticles from walnut kernels (WELNs), revealing potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These WELNs show promise for functional food applications due to their health benefits.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Walnuts are recognized for their health benefits, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) are emerging as key mediators of intercellular communication and bioactivity.
- Investigating ELNs from natural sources like walnuts can uncover novel therapeutic and functional food components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize exosome-like nanoparticles from walnut kernels (WELNs).
- To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of WELNs in vitro.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of WELN bioactivity.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of WELNs using nanoparticle tracking analysis and electron microscopy.
- Proteomic and small RNA sequencing to identify WELN components.
- In vitro antioxidant assays (ABTS+, DPPH+), cytotoxicity assays, and cellular assays in LPS-stimulated macrophages.
- Analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzyme activities, nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Western blot analysis to assess MAPK signaling pathway activation.
Main Results:
- WELNs were successfully isolated with characteristic morphology and size (139.7 ± 67.5 nm).
- WELNs demonstrated significant antioxidant capacity and effectively scavenged free radicals.
- WELN treatment reduced oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA) and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in macrophages.
- WELNs suppressed nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner.
- The anti-inflammatory effects were linked to the inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- Walnut kernel-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (WELNs) possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- WELNs mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation by modulating cellular signaling pathways.
- This study provides the first evidence of bioactivity for walnut-derived ELNs, supporting their potential in functional foods.
