Past, Present, and Future of Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Biomedical Applications

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are gaining attention as natural nanocarriers for biomedical applications due to their ability to transport bioactive molecules and facilitate intercellular communication. This review highlights the growing research interest in PDEVs, identifying key themes such as drug delivery, immunomodulation, and gut microbiota regulation. The field has progressed from studying basic biological characteristics to developing engineered delivery platforms for various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. The review discusses the strengths and limitations of isolation methods, the role of multi-omics integration, and engineering strategies like drug loading. It also addresses challenges such as the need for standardized protocols and scalable purification technologies, and suggests future directions for advancing PDEVs in clinical applications.