Extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics and biomarker potential for polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis: from human/animal cell-derived to plant-derived EVs

Mudassir Ur Rahman, Te Liu, Shukurkhujaeva Dilfuzakhon, Alisher Shavkatovich Axrorov, Axrorov Alisher Shavkatovich, Chao Wang, Yingying Xu, Anas H Al-Daher
Molecular biology reports · 2026 · vol. 53(1) · doi:10.1007/s11033-026-13106-w · PMID:42986494 · W7225294122
Review OA: closed public-domain-us
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Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis are prevalent gynecological disorders associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal dysregulation, and impaired fertility. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom management and may be limited by adverse effects and disease recurrence. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising cell-free therapeutic and diagnostic platforms that transport bioactive cargo, including microRNAs, proteins, and lipids. This review explores the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of human-, animal-, and plant-derived EVs in PCOS and endometriosis, distinguishing direct evidence from disease-specific models from indirect evidence obtained in other experimental conditions. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic, and regenerative effects in preclinical models, while plant-derived EVs from ginger, aloe, garlic, grapefruit, rice, pomegranate, and tomato demonstrate diverse biological activities with varying relevance to these disorders. Notably, ginger-derived EVs have shown beneficial effects in experimental endometriosis models by reducing inflammation, angiogenesis, and cellular invasion while promoting apoptosis. Findings from other disease models provide indirect support for potential mechanisms but do not establish therapeutic efficacy in PCOS or endometriosis. EVs may also serve as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and monitoring. This review discusses EV isolation, characterization, proposed mechanisms, preclinical evidence, and translational challenges. Future research should prioritize disease-specific mechanistic studies, standardized EV isolation and characterization, rigorous evaluation of biodistribution and safety, and well-designed clinical trials to establish diagnostic utility and therapeutic efficacy. Although EV-based approaches hold promise, further validation is essential before clinical application.

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MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Extracellular Vesicles Extracellular Vesicles Extracellular Vesicles Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Animals Animals Biomarkers Biomarkers Biomarkers Female Female

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