Plant exosome like nanovesicles, being innately replete with bioactive lipids, proteins, RNA and other pharmacologically active molecules, offer unique morphological and compositional characteristics as natural nanocarriers. Furthermore, their compelling physicochemical traits underpin their modulative role in physiological processes, all of which have enkindled the concept that these nanovesicles may be highly proficient in development of next-generation biotherapeutic and drug delivery nanoplatforms to meet the ever-stringent demands of current clinical challenges. This review systemically deals with various facets of plant exosome like nanovesicles ranging from their origin and isolation to identification of morphological composition, biological functions and cargo loading mechanisms. Efforts are made to encompass their biotherapeutic roles by elucidating their immunological modulating, anti-tumor, regenerative and anti-inflammatory roles. We also shed light on re-engineering of these nanovesicles into robust, innocuous and non-immunogenic nanovectors for drug delivery through multiple stringent biological hindrances to various targeted organs such as intestine and brain. Finally, recent advancements centered around plant exosome like nanovesicles along with new insights into transdermal, transmembrane and targeting mechanisms of these vesicles are also elucidated. We expect the continuing development of plant exosome like nanovesicles-based therapeutic and delivery nanoplatforms will promote their clinical applications.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and its treatment remains a big challenge. The pathogenesis of PD may be related to environmental and genetic factors, and exposure to toxins and gene mutations may be the beginning of brain lesions. The identified mechanisms of PD include α-synuclein aggregation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and gut dysbiosis. The interactions among these molecular mechanisms complicate the pathogenesis of PD and pose great challenges to drug development. At the same time, the diagnosis and detection of PD are also one of obstacles to the treatment of PD due to its long latency and complex mechanism. Most conventional therapeutic interventions for PD possess limited effects and have serious side effects, heightening the need to develop novel treatments for this disease. In this review, we systematically summarized the pathogenesis, especially the molecular mechanisms of PD, the classical research models, clinical diagnostic criteria, and the reported drug therapy strategies, as well as the newly reported drug candidates in clinical trials. We also shed light on the components derived from medicinal plants that are newly identified for their effects in PD treatment, with the expectation to provide the summary and outlook for developing the next generation of drugs and preparations for PD therapy.

Transdermal photo-TRAIL therapy by transgenic E. coli –derived outer membrane vesicles eradicates melanoma completely.