Abstract: Compositions comprising a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an edible plant-derived microvesicle are provided. Methods of treating an inflammatory disorder and methods of treating a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an edible plant-derived microvesicle to a subject. Further provided are methods of diagnosing a colon cancer that include the steps of administering an edible plant-derived microvesicle incorporating a detectable label to a subject and then determining an amount of the detectable label in an intestine of the subject.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that includes a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that includes a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for using the same. In some embodiments, the compositions include an EPELN encapsulating and/or having associated therewith an active agent and a plasma membrane derived from a tumor and/or cancer cell coating the EPELN. In some embodiments, the active agent is a therapeutic agent or an immune response modifier, and in some embodiments the plasma membrane has one or more tumor-associated and/or cancer-associated antigens. Also provided are methods for using the compositions for treating tumors and/or cancers, inducing anti-tumor and/or anti-cancer immune responses, activating antigen-presenting cells, targeting CD11c dendritic cells, and preventing or reducing metastasis.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inhibiting immune responses against microbial antigens. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to the subject a composition containing a plurality of plant-derived exosome-like particles to inhibit immune esponses against microbial antigens. Also provided are methods for inhibiting development of septic shock in subjects, for inhibiting development of cytokine storm in subjects, and for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathogenic effect. Also provided are compositions that include an exosome-derived nanoparticle comprising a first lipid bilayer and a second lipid bilayer coating the exosome-like nanoparticle and/or fused with the first lipid bilayer, wherein the second lipid bilayer comprises a targeting molecule, and methods for using the compositions to treat diseases, disorders, and conditions and/or to target a therapeutic agent to a cell, tissue, and/or organ of interest.

Abstract: Methods for treating alcohol induced liver injury include administering to a subject an effective amount of a ginger-derived nanoparticle. Methods for decreasing nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor (Nrf2) activation in a hepatocyte are also provided and include contacting the hepatocyte with an effective amount of a ginger-derived nanoparticle. Pharmaceutical preparations including ginger-derived nanoparticles are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions that include a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an edible plant-derived microvesicle are provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disorder and methods for treating a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of a composition that includes a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an edible plant-derived microvesicle to a subject. Further provided are methods of diagnosing a colon cancer that include the steps of administering an edible plant-derived microvesicle incorporating a detectable label to a subject and then determining an amount of the detectable label in an intestine of the subject.

Abstract: Microvesicle compositions and methods of use thereof are provided. The microvesicle composition includes a miRNA encapsulated by a microvesicle, wherein the microvesicle is derived from an edible plant. The method of use thereof includes treating a cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a microvesicle composition.

Abstract: Provided are methods for increasing insulin sensitivity in subjects. In some embodiments, the method include administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a lipid bilayer, wherein the lipid bilayer is low in total phosphatidylcholine (PC) or has been treated to reduce total PC.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preventing and/or treating oral diseases, disorders, and/or conditions. In some embodiments, the methods relate to administering to the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof a composition that includes an effective amount of ginger-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GELNs) or a biologically active component thereof. Also provided are methods for preventing and/or treating periodontitis, methods for reducing growth of and/or pathogenicity of microorganisms in the oral cavities of subjects, methods for reducing microorganismal motility, and methods for reducing bone loss in the oral cavities of subjects associated with infection with microorganisms. Also provided are compositions that can be employed in the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for using the same. In some embodiments, the compositions include an EPELN encapsulating and/or having associated therewith an active agent and a plasma membrane derived from a tumor and/or cancer cell coating the EPELN. In some embodiments, the active agent is a therapeutic agent or an immune response modifier, and in some embodiments the plasma membrane has one or more tumor-associated and/or cancer-associated antigens. Also provided are methods for using the compositions for treating tumors and/or cancers, inducing anti-tumor and/or anti-cancer immune responses, activating antigen-presenting cells, targeting CD1 lc dendritic cells, and preventing or reducing metastasis.

Abstract: Provided are methods for modulating gut microbiota in subjects. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition that includes a first edible plant-derived nanoparticle encapsulating an effective amount of RNA. Also provided are methods for preventing and/or treating gut dysbiosis, methods for modulating bacterial growth, methods for modulating inflammatory cytokines, methods for reducing migration of bacterial from the gut to gut-associated bloodstream, and compositions for use in the presently disclosed methods, including pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating tumors and/or cancers. In some embodiments, the methods relate to administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a nanoparticle derived from an edible plant and an effective amount of an autologous exosome. Also provided are methods for enhancing accumulation of nanoparticles in the lungs of subjects, methods for delivering agents to the liver, brain, and/or bones of subjects, and methods for delivering agents across the blood-brain barrier of subjects.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis or prognosis of a cancer in a subject include isolating one or more nanovesicles from a biological sample obtained from the subject, determining the amount in the biological sample of the one or more nanovesicles, and comparing the amount of the one or more nanovesicles to a control level to thereby diagnose the cancer. The one or more nanovesicles are obtained by depleting the biological sample of exosomes prior to the isolation of the nanovesicles. Methods for identifying a tumor metastasis in a subject are also provided and include fractionating a biological sample from a subject to obtain a fraction including one or more exosomes and one or more nanovesicles having a diameter of about 8-12 nm, and then isolating the one or more nanovesicles to diagnose the tumor metastasis.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that comprises a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.

Abstract: Methods for treating alcohol induced liver injury include administering to a subject an effective amount of a ginger-derived nanoparticle. Methods for decreasing nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor (Nrf2) activation in a hepatocyte are also provided and include contacting the hepatocyte with an effective amount of a ginger-derived nanoparticle. Pharmaceutical preparations including ginger-derived nanoparticles are further provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an edible plant-derived microvesicle are provided. Methods of treating an inflammatory disorder and methods of treating a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an edible plant-derived microvesicle to a subject. Further provided are methods of diagnosing a colon cancer that include the steps of administering an edible plant-derived microvesicle incorporating a detectable label to a subject and then determining an amount of the detectable label in an intestine of the subject.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a cancer in a subject are provided in which a biological sample is provided from a subject including one or more exosomes. The exosomes are isolated from the biological sample and are used to identify a type and/or amount of one or more tumor suppressor miRNAs encapsulated by the exosomes. A measurable difference in the type and/or amount of the tumor suppressor miRNAs as compared to control levels allows for a diagnosis of cancer in the subject. Methods of selecting or modifying a treatment and methods for determining whether to initiate or continue prophylaxis or treatment for a cancer based on the exosomal miRNAs is further provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating intestinal inflammation and/or colon cancer include administering an amount of a broccoli-derived nanoparticle to a subject in need thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising broccoli-derived nanoparticles are also provided. Further provided are methods for screening for a compound useful for treating a colon cancer that include the steps of contacting a provided intestinal epithelial cell with a test compound and measuring an amount of expression of COP9 signalsome subunit 8 (CSN8) in the intestinal epithelial cell to thereby identify the test compound as useful for treating colon cancer.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that comprises a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.