First evidence for isolation and characterization of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst-derived nanovesicles with anti-neuroblastoma potential

Edible plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) have emerged as promising nanotherapeutic strategies for various diseases, including cancer. The biochemical composition and functional properties of PDNVs vary considerably on the basis of their botanical source. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst is a medicinal plant renowned for its rich phytochemical profile, yet the isolation and biological activities of B. monnieri -derived nanovesicles (BMNVs) remain unexplored. We report, for the first time, the isolation, molecular cargo profiling, and in vitro functional evaluation of BMNVs against neuroblastoma cells. The isolated BMNVs displayed a characteristic bilayer morphology with an average particle size of ~ 112 nm. Mass spectrometry-based metabolite analysis revealed that triterpenoids and triterpene saponins are predominant compound classes detected in BMNVs, whereas protein cargo analysis revealed superoxide dismutase, which is correlated with their intrinsic free radical scavenging activities. In vitro assays demonstrated that BMNVs significantly suppress neuroblastoma cell growth and induce morphological alterations. Confocal three-dimensional reconstruction confirmed the cellular internalization of the BMNVs, revealing a distinct perinuclear distribution. This study provides the first evidence of the use of BMNVs as bioactive carriers, highlighting their potential as novel nanotherapeutic agents and establishing B. monnieri as a valuable natural resource for the development of bioactive plant-derived nanovesicles for nanomedicine.