Food-derived extracellular vesicles: an emerging intervention strategy for inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND: Food-derived extracellular vesicles (FEVs) from plants, milk and probiotics are emerging as bioactive nanocarriers linking nutrition and metabolism. Their natural stability provides unique advantages for gastrointestinal therapeutics. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a refractory intestinal disease, and the current research shows that FEVs have potential application value in improving IBD. Scope and Approach: This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of FEVs from three major sources-plant-derived, milk-derived, and bacteria-derived EVs, encompassing their biogenesis, structural characteristics, application characteristics and mechanism of action, with emphasis on their role in IBD intervention. And put forward new strategies and prospects for FEVs' intervention and application in IBD, providing a comprehensive perspective for their role in nutrition intervention. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: FEVs from distinct sources exhibit characteristic structural and functional profiles that enable source-specific intervention strategies for IBD. These natural nanovesicles demonstrate multi-modal therapeutic effects by modulating gut microbiota composition, enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, and fine-tuning immune responses. Their role as nutritional modulators and drug delivery vehicles holds significant clinical promise for IBD management. However, translational challenges persist, including mechanism uncertainties, suboptimal targeting efficiency, unverified long-term safety, and limited production yields. Future studies should prioritize bridging these knowledge gaps to facilitate FEV-based clinical translation.