Plant-derived extracellular vesicles as potential smart nano drug delivery systems for antioxidant vitamins C and E in Alzheimer's disease

1. Introduction Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and cognitive decline. It is histopathologically marked by: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque accumulation Neurofibrillary tangles (tau proteins) Oxidative stress and inflammation Oxidative stress plays a central role in AD pathology, leading to neuronal damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E counteract ROS, but their therapeutic potential is limited by poor brain bioavailability , rapid degradation , and limited absorption . 2. The Promise of Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (PDEVs) 2.1 What Are PDEVs? Plant-derived extracellular vesicles are nano- to micro-sized vesicles (50–500 nm) secreted by plant cells for intercellular communication. They are structurally similar to mammalian exosomes but are non-toxic, naturally abundant, and edible . Sources: Ginger, grapefruit, ...