In recent years, there has been an increasing number of related studies on exosomes. Most studies have focused on exosomes derived from mammals, confirming the important role that exosomes play in cell communication. Plants, as a natural ingredient, plant-derived exosomes have been confirmed to have similar structures and functions to mammalian-derived exosomes. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs) are lipid bilayer membrane nanovesicles containing bioactive constituents such as miRNA, mRNA, protein, and lipids obtained from plant cells, that can participate in intercellular communication and mediate transboundary communication, have high bioavailability and low immunogenicity, are relatively safe, and have been shown to play an important role in maintaining cell homeostasis and preventing, and treating a variety of diseases. In this review, we describe the biogenesis, isolation and purification methods, structural composition, stability, safety, function of PELNs and challenges. The functions of PELNs in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and drug delivery are mainly described, and the status of research on exosome nanoparticles of Chinese herbal medicines is outlined. Overall, we summarized the importance of PELNs and the latest research results in this field and provided a theoretical basis for the future research and clinical application of PELNs.

Anatomical and functional abnormalities in the cortico-cerebellar-thalamo-cortical circuit have been observed in schizophrenia patients and their unaffected siblings. However, it remains unclear to the relationship between anatomical and functional abnormalities within this circuit in schizophrenia patients and their unaffected siblings, which may serve as potential endophenotypes for schizophrenia. Anatomical and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 49 first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia patients, 46 unaffected siblings, and 46 healthy controls. Data were analyzed by using voxel-based morphometry and Granger causality analysis. The patients and the siblings shared anatomical deficits in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and increased left MTG–left angular gyrus (AG) connectivity. Moreover, the left MTG–left AG connectivity negatively correlates to the duration of untreated psychosis in the patients. The findings indicate that anatomical deficits in the left MTG and its increased causal connectivity with the left AG may serve as potential endophenotypes for schizophrenia with clinical implications.

Palmitic acid (PA), the most prevalent saturated fatty acid in humans, is closely associated with ovarian dysfunction. Elevated PA levels in the follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are correlated with the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART), though the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Multi-omics analysis identified PA and TXNIP as potential pathogenic factors in PCOS. CCK-8 and apoptosis assay were conducted to detect the cytotoxicity of PA. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying PA-induced ferroptosis, we established COV434 cell models with both TXNIP overexpression and knockdown. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blot (WB), ELISA assays, and flow cytometry were employed to assess ferroptosis-related markers. A PCOS mouse model was also developed, and histopathological staining, TEM, ELISA, and WB were performed to evaluate clinical parameters related to PCOS ovarian ferroptosis levels. To clarify the targeting relationship between ATF4 and TXNIP, we utilized luciferase reporter gene assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and RT-qPCR for a comprehensive analysis. In vivo and in vitro, PA enhanced the sensitivity of PCOS ovarian ferroptosis. The protein levels of TXNIP and ACSL4 were upregulated in both PCOS patients and mouse models after PA treatment. PA also induces the expression of the ferroptosis inhibitor SLC7A11 as part of an adaptive response. Elevated intracellular ROS levels, increased MDA content, decreased GSH/GSSG ratios, elevated ferrous iron levels, and TEM findings collectively indicated that PA induces ferroptosis in KGN/COV434 cells. The ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA reduces PA-induced ferroptosis in PCOS ovaries by suppressing ER stress, thereby improving PA-induced PCOS-like traits. Moreover, the UPR gene ATF4 regulates cellular ferroptosis by activating the transcriptional expression of TXNIP. PA stimulated ovarian ferroptosis by activating ER stress, a process mediated by the ATF4/TXNIP axis, which might represent a potential mechanism underlying the progression of PCOS. The application of ER stress inhibitors improved PCOS traits by reducing the sensitivity of ovarian ferroptosis.