Therapeutic Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling via Physalis Peruviana ‐Derived Exosomes: A Targeted Effect on IKK/NFκB/STAT1
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Physalis peruviana is a carotenoid‐rich fruit widely recognized for its nutritional and medicinal value, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its bioactivity remain incompletely understood. Plant‐derived extracellular vesicles have recently emerged as functional nanocarriers of bioactive metabolites; however, these vesicles from P. peruviana have not been systematically investigated. We isolated and characterized exosomes from P. peruviana fruits and evaluated their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro. Vesicles were isolated and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, protein and RNA profiling, thin‐layer chromatography, and untargeted metabolomics. The vesicles exhibited characteristic exosomal morphology with a mean diameter of ∼142 nm and contained proteins, miRNAs, lipids, and β‐carotene as a predominant metabolite. Functional assays revealed that, at non‐cytotoxic concentrations (25 µg/mL), they significantly suppressed IL‐6, TNF‐α, IFN‐β, iNOS, and STAT1 expression in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, accompanied by reduced IKK phosphorylation and inhibition of NF‐κB and STAT1 transcriptional activity. In H 2 O 2 ‐challenged NIH3T3 fibroblasts, exosome treatment enhanced cell viability and upregulated endogenous antioxidant and mitochondrial defense markers, including CAT, SOD2, GPx4, and cytochrome c oxidase. These findings identify P. peruviana–derived exosomes as carotenoid‐rich nanocarriers with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, providing new mechanistic insight into the molecular actions of carotenoid‐containing foods.
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.70458
Institution: University of Castilla-La Mancha
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,880
OpenAlex ID: W7151512014