Advancements and Challenges of Plant-derived Extracellular Vesicles in Anti-Cancer Strategies and Drug Delivery

Background: Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are vital for intercellular material exchange and information transfer. They significantly regulate cellular functions, tissue repair, and self-defense mechanisms. Objective: This review summarizes the formation pathways, composition, and potential applications of PDEVs in anti-tumor research and drug delivery systems. Methods: We conducted a literature search using keywords such as “plant-derived extracellular vesicles,” “exosomes,” “drug delivery,” “isolation and purification,” “stability,” “anti-tumor,” and “tumor therapy” in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. We examined studies on the formation pathways of PDEVs, including fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane, exosome-positive organelles, and vacuole release. We also reviewed isolation and purification techniques critical for studying their biological functions. Furthermore, we analyzed research on the application of PDEVs in cancer therapy, focusing on their inhibitory effects in various cancer models and their role as carriers in drug delivery systems. Results: PDEVs have demonstrated potential in anti-tumor research, particularly with vesicles from plants like tea, garlic, and Artemisia annua showing inhibitory effects in breast, lung, and gastric cancer models. Additionally, PDEVs serve as effective carriers in drug delivery systems, offering possibilities for developing ideal therapeutic solutions. Conclusion: While PDEVs show promise in cancer treatment and drug delivery, challenges such as standardization, storage stability, and elucidation of action mechanisms remain. Further research is needed to overcome these challenges and advance the clinical translation of PDEVs.