Plant-Derived Exosome-Like Nanoparticles: Mechanisms of Cross-Kingdom Regulation and Perspectives as Natural Drug Carriers for Disease Treatment

Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs) are membrane vesicles that are isolated from plant tissues, containing lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and various other natural bioactive components inside. Recent studies indicate that PELNs exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor functions, participate in intercellular communication and mediate cross-kingdom regulation. These nanoparticles demonstrate significant potential in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including malignancies, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disorders, and metabolic diseases. This review summarizes the biogenesis mechanisms, compositional elements and cross-kingdom regulatory functions of PELNs. Specifically, the 3' terminal 2'-O-methylation modification of plant miRNAs ensures their structural integrity and stability under harsh physiological conditions, facilitating efficient interspecies communication. Furthermore, as natural drug carriers, PELNs have substantial advantages in the targeted delivery of small-molecule drugs, nucleic acids and functional proteins. Finally, the current challenges and future development prospects of PELNs are discussed. Although research into PELNs remains at the initial stage, their potential applications in precision medicine and drug delivery systems are promising, offering novel strategies for future disease treatment.