Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (13): 3370-3378.doi: 10.12307/2026.309

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Occurrence and development of plant derived extracellular vesicles in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases

Zhang Yijie1, Hong Bowen1, Zhou Yi1, Shao Yang1, 2, Wu Mao1, 2, Li Shaoshuo1, 2, Wang Jianwei1, 2   

  1. 1Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China; 2Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-06-14 Online:2026-05-08 Published:2025-12-26
  • Contact: Wang Jianwei, MD, Chief physician, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China; Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214000, Jiangsu Province, China; Co-corresponding author: Li Shaoshuo, MD, Attending physician, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China; Wuxi Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Wuxi 214000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • About author:Zhang Yijie, Master candidate, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82274546 (to WJW); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82405520 (LSS); Wuxi Municipal Health Commission Research Project, No. Q202232 (to LSS); Wuxi “Double Hundred” Young and Middle-aged Medical and Health Talents, No. HB2023074 (to LSS); Jiangsu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Development Plan Young Talent Project, No. QN202322 (to LSS)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Plant derived extracellular vesicles have opened up new avenues for the treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and cartilage damage due to their unique biological properties and low immunogenicity. 
OBJECTIVE: To review the research history, extraction and separation methods of plant derived extracellular vesicles, and their application progress in musculoskeletal system diseases. 
METHODS: Relevant literature published from January 1995 to February 2025 was searched by computer in PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and VIP databases using “musculoskeletal system, plant derived extracellular vesicles, exosomes, extracellular vesicle like nanovesicles, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, wound healing, drug carrier, inflammation” as Chinese and English search terms. Finally, 61 articles were included for analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The advantages of plant derived extracellular vesicles include relatively simple extraction and purification processes, easy standardization, suitability for large-scale production, lower immunogenicity, greater safety and tolerance, excellent stability, ability to withstand acidic conditions in the stomach and intestines, suitability for oral administration systems, longer in vivo circulation time and tissue-specific targeting, and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier but not the placental barrier. Plant derived extracellular vesicles have been widely studied in the treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, promotion of wound healing and blood flow reconstruction, inhibition of inflammatory reactions, and as drug carriers for the treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases.

Key words: plant derived extracellular vesicle, musculoskeletal system, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, wound healing, drug carrier, inflammation

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