NANOVESICLES FROM PLANTS AS EDIBLE CARRIERS OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Nanosized vesicles are released by animal cells in the extracellular environment and have been retrieved in body fluids. Their small dimensions and relative stability as compared to synthetic liposomes has prompted their use as drug and gene delivery vehicles. However, the use of animal vesicles originating from cultured cells is hampered by safety issues. Recent findings have shown that edible plant-derived nanovesicles with a biochemical content resembling that of vesicles isolated from animal cells and body fluids could be obtained from vegetal sources, such as grape and grapefruit juices. These nanovesicles improved the stability and bioavailability of orally administered bioactive compounds such as curcumin and have been proposed as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer and immunological disorders of the digestive tract. Furthermore, they have also shown therapeutic efficacy by themselves, being able to stimulate signaling pathways in intestinal target cells and demonstrating a cross-kingdom ability to transmit signals between vegetal and animal cells, that foster their use as nutriceuticals.