The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective

Polen Koçak

doi:10.29130/dubited.1607832

TR EN

Abstract

Yara iyileşmesi, sitokinler ve büyüme faktörleri tarafından düzenlenen hücresel, biyokimyasal ve fizyolojik olayları içeren çok yönlü bir biyolojik süreçtir. Rejeneratif tıptaki son gelişmeler, bitki kaynaklı küçük ekstraselüler veziküllerin (SEV'ler) terapötik potansiyelini ortaya koymuştur. Bu çalışma, Cucurbita pepo (kabak) suyundan izole edilen SEV'lerin yara iyileştirici özelliklerini araştırmaktadır. Sulu iki fazlı bir sistem kullanılarak homojen SEV'ler izole edilmiş ve taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM), akış sitometrisi ve nanoparçacık izleme analizi ile karakterize edilmiştir. SEV'ler, CD9, CD63 ve HSP70 gibi eksozomlara özgü belirteçler göstermiş ve 50-150 nm boyut aralığında bulunmuştur. In vitro testler, kabak kaynaklı SEV'lerin yara iyileşmesi için kritik hücresel süreçleri önemli ölçüde artırdığını ortaya koymuştur. SEV'lerin 200 µg/mL konsantrasyonu, 24, 48 ve 72 saat boyunca insan dermal fibroblastlarında (HDF), insan keratinositlerinde (HaCaT) ve insan göbek damarı endotelyal hücrelerinde (HUVEC) hücre canlılığı ve proliferasyonunu artırmıştır. Çizik testleri, 48 saat içinde neredeyse tam yara kapanması ile hızlanmış hücre göçünü göstermiştir. Ayrıca, SEV'ler, H₂O₂ ile indüklenen inflamasyon modellerinde oksidatif stresi azaltarak hücre canlılığını artırmış ve anti-enflamatuar etkiler sergilemiştir. Özellikle, kantitatif RT-PCR analizi, kollajen tip I gen ekspresyonunda %30'luk bir artış göstermiş ve SEV'lerin ekstraselüler matris yeniden şekillenmesi ve doku rejenerasyonundaki rolünü vurgulamıştır. Bulgular, Cucurbita pepo SEV'lerinin hücre proliferasyonu, göçü, anti-enflamatuar aktivite ve kollajen sentezini teşvik eden çok işlevli özelliklere sahip olduğunu ve yara iyileşmesinde umut verici bir terapötik ajan olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, rejeneratif tıpta, özellikle doku onarımı ve yara yönetimi alanında bitki kaynaklı SEV'lerin daha fazla araştırılması için bir temel oluşturmaktadır.

Keywords

eksozomlar, küçük ekstraselüler veziküller, cucurbita peppo

The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective

Abstract

Wound healing is a multifaceted biological process involving cellular, biochemical, and physiological events regulated by cytokines and growth factors. Recent advancements in regenerative medicine have highlighted the therapeutic potential of plant-derived small extracellular vesicles (SEVs). This study investigates the wound-healing properties of SEVs isolated from Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) juice. Using an aqueous two-phase system, homogenous SEVs were isolated and characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), flow cytometry, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The SEVs displayed exosome-specific markers, including CD9, CD63, CD81 and HSP70, and exhibited a size range of 50-150 nm. In vitro assays revealed that zucchini-derived SEVs significantly enhance cellular processes critical to wound healing. A 200 µg/mL concentration of SEVs increased cell viability and proliferation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF), human keratinocytes (HaCaT), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) over 24, 48, and 72 hours. Scratch assays demonstrated accelerated cell migration, achieving near-complete wound closure within 48 hours. Furthermore, SEVs mitigated oxidative stress in H₂O₂-induced inflammation models, improving cell viability and showcasing anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed a 30% upregulation in collagen type I gene expression, underscoring the SEVs' role in extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue regeneration. The findings indicate that Cucurbita pepo SEVs possess multifunctional properties—stimulating cell proliferation, migration, anti-inflammatory activity, and collagen synthesis—making them a promising therapeutic agent in wound healing. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration of plant-derived SEVs in regenerative medicine, particularly for tissue repair and wound management.

Keywords

Wound healing, Small extracellular vesicles (SEVs), Cucurbita pepo, Plant-derived therapeutics

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human or animal participants. All procedures followed scientific and ethical principles, and all referenced studies are appropriately cited.

Thanks

The author do not wish to acknowledge any individual or institution.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Chemistry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Polen Koçak ^*
0000-0003-4493-1061
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 23, 2026

Submission Date

December 26, 2024

Acceptance Date

June 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1607832

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA64GE27YP

APA

Koçak, P. (2026). The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, 14(4), 943-953. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1607832

AMA

1.Koçak P. The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective. DUBİTED. 2026;14(4):943-953. doi:10.29130/dubited.1607832

Chicago

Koçak, Polen. 2026. “The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita Pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 (4): 943-53. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1607832.

EndNote

Koçak P (October 1, 2026) The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 4 943–953.

IEEE

[1]P. Koçak, “The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective”, DUBİTED, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 943–953, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.29130/dubited.1607832.

ISNAD

Koçak, Polen. “The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita Pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14/4 (October 1, 2026): 943-953. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1607832.

JAMA

1.Koçak P. The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective. DUBİTED. 2026;14:943–953.

MLA

Koçak, Polen. “The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita Pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 14, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 943-5, doi:10.29130/dubited.1607832.

Vancouver

1.Polen Koçak. The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective. DUBİTED. 2026 Oct. 1;14(4):943-5. doi:10.29130/dubited.1607832

Abstract

Keywords

The Therapeutic Potential of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Cucurbita pepo in Wound Healing: A Regenerative Medicine Perspective

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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