Oral plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles: a new therapeutic perspective for intestinal diseases

Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs) are a class of nanoscale vesicles isolated from plant cells. They are enriched with proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other bioactive components, and are capable of exerting diverse biological effects. Due to their efficient absorption and transformation, PELNs when administered orally, demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy for treating various gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal tumors, and gut dysbiosis. Despite growing evidence highlighting their promise as emerging biotherapeutic agents for intestinal disorders, challenges still persist due to poorly defined mechanisms of action and limited clinical experience. This review summarizes the characteristics of PELNs, the advantages of their oral delivery, and current engineering strategies. It further explores the mechanisms through which PELNs promote intestinal health and analyzes their clinical prospects and challenges. The review aims to provide insights for future research and clinical translation, thereby facilitating the advancement of PELN-based therapies for gastrointestinal diseases.