Skin Care

Plant exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by plant cells, typically ranging in diameter from tens to hundreds of nanometers. These vesicles contain various biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. The secretion of exosomes is often regulated by biotic or abiotic stimuli, such as pathogen infection, nutrient deficiency, or other physiological stresses.

In plant physiology, exosomes play multiple roles. Firstly, they are considered crucial mediators of intercellular communication. Exosomes can transport messages between different parts of the plant, regulating growth and development, stress responses, and disease resistance. Secondly, plant exosomes may be involved in sensing and responding to external environmental stimuli, facilitating interactions between plants and other organisms.

Compared to exosomes derived from mammals, plant-derived exosomes can be directly isolated from their fruits and tissues, significantly reducing the costs associated with raw materials and cultivation, thus offering advantages in mass production. Moreover, the potential applications of plant exosomes have been documented in the literature with various beneficial effects, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, improvement of colitis, promotion of wound healing, serving as drug carriers, and even cancer treatment. Currently, three clinical trials related to plant exosomes are underway, indicating rapid advancements in this field over recent years.

Stem Biotechnology Inc. is exploring the isolation of plant exosomes from common plants or crops and investigating their potential applications in cosmetics and skincare products. We have completed efficacy validation and cytotoxicity testing for a plant exosome raw material with whitening effects. Cell experiments have confirmed that its efficacy is comparable to commonly known whitening agents such as α-arbutin and kojic acid, effectively inhibiting melanin production. We are currently developing prototype whitening skincare products based on this raw material, with plans to enter mass production by the second half of 2024.