New Nanovesicles from Prickly Pear Fruit Juice: A Resource with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Nutrigenomic Properties
Flores Naselli,
Sara Volpes,
Paola Sofia Cardinale,
Fabio Salvatore Palumbo,
Francesco Cancilla,
Francesco Lopresti,
Valeria Villanova,
Antonella Girgenti,
Domenico Nuzzo,
Fabio Caradonna,
Pasquale Picone
Affiliations
Flores Naselli
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Sara Volpes
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Paola Sofia Cardinale
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Fabio Salvatore Palumbo
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Francesco Cancilla
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Francesco Lopresti
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Valeria Villanova
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Antonella Girgenti
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Domenico Nuzzo
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Fabio Caradonna
Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Building 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Pasquale Picone
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Plant-derived nanovesicles represent a novel approach in the field of plant-derived biomaterials, offering a sustainable and biocompatible option for various biomedical applications. The unique properties of these vesicles, such as their ability to encapsulate bioactive compounds, make them suitable for therapeutic, cosmetic, and nutraceutical purposes. In this study, we have, for the first time, successfully bio-fabricated vesicles derived from Opuntia ficus-indica (FicoVes) using an efficient and cost-effective method. Characterized by a size of approximately of 114 nm and a negative zeta potential of −20.9 mV, FicoVes exhibited excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, showing no reduction in the viability of human and animal cells. Our results showed that FicoVes possess significant antioxidant properties as they reduced ROS generation in TBH-stimulated cells. FicoVes displayed anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il 1β, TNF α) and enhancing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL4, IL10) following an inflammatory stimulus. Furthermore, FicoVes accelerated epithelial wound closure in L929 fibroblast monolayers in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting their potential role in tissue repair. This study establishes FicoVes as a promising candidate for nutrigenomic applications, particularly in the context of inflammation-related disorders and wound healing. Further research, including in vivo studies, is essential to validate these findings and fully explore their therapeutic potential.
