Recent advances in PDEVs as nanocarriers for drug delivery: loading techniques, engineering strategies and future directions
Journal
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
Journal Volume
23
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
145
End Page
168
ISSN
1742-5247
Date Issued
2025-11-30
Author(s)
Abstract
Introduction: Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have emerged as natural nanocarriers with promising applications in drug delivery and precision medicine. Secreted by plant cells, PDEVs facilitate intercellular communication by transporting metabolites. Unlike conventional liposomes and mammalian-derived EVs, PDEVs demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, stability, and the ability to cross biological barriers without inducing inflammatory or cytotoxic effects. Their capacity to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutic agents highlight their versatility as targeted delivery platforms. Areas covered: This review summarizes PDEV biogenesis in comparison with mammalian-derived EVs and emphasizes characterization techniques and the role of lipid components in drug delivery efficacy. Drug loading strategies are critically examined with respect to their efficiency, advantages, and limitations. Advances in engineering, including surface modification and hybrid vesicle formation, are discussed to enhance targeting precision, circulation stability, and controlled drug release. Therapeutic potential and synergetic application in disease prevention and management are evaluated, alongside key considerations such as storage stability, current limitations, and opportunities for clinical translation. Expert opinion: PDEVs represents a promising platform for drug delivery and precision medicine. Although large-scale production, standardization and long-term stability remain challenges, recent innovations in loading strategies and engineering approaches demonstrate significant potential to overcome these barriers and accelerate clinical translation.
Subjects
drug loading
engineered EVs
hybrid vesicles
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles
targeted drug delivery
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Type
review