Extracellular vesicles from cucumber fruits enhancing of wound repair

Abstract

As the skin is the largest organ in the body and is a protective barrier against outside factors, it is important to restore its integrity after injury as quickly as possible [1]. This is the reason why it is necessary to find new therapeutic methods which would be able to improve regeneration of the skin faster and more efficient. Cucumber fruits are known for their cooling, healing, smoothing effects and are used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products for various problems connected with disturbed skin integrity. Researches show that extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from plants maintain similar physiological properties as the plant but the activity is stronger due to specific structure of the vesicles: phospholipid bilayer protects bioactive molecules and ensures more efficient delivery to the site of action [2]. The aim of this research was to isolate extracellular vesicles from cucumber fruits and to evaluate their ability to accelerate skin regeneration. EVs were isolated from the lyophilised cucumber fruits using commercial exosome isolation kit. The size and amount distribution of EVs were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (ZetaSizer Nano) and NTA (NanoSight NS300). Fluorescence microscopy confirmed internalisation of EVs by human skin cells (keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts) after 24 hours. Regenerative properties of cucumber EVs were evaluated by PrestoBlueTM cell viability test and wound test in vitro. Results showed that EVs isolated from cucumber fruits increase human skin cells metabolic activity and reduce wound healing time. In conclusion, cucumber EVs have potential to be used as an active agent in the modeling of new pharmaceutical products for conditions and diseases related with disturbed skin regeneration capacity.