Isolation and Functional Characterization of Carob-Derived Nanovesicles Reveals Anti-Inflammatory and Regenerative Potential

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) are increasingly recognized as mediators of intercellular communication in plants, where they play roles in defense, signaling, and cell wall remodeling. In addition, PDNVs are gaining increasing attention for their biomedical potential, both as natural delivery systems and as bioactive entities, with promising applications in inflammatory disorders and cancer. In this study, we isolated carob nanovesicles (CbNVs) from the apoplastic fluid of carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.) using vacuum infiltration centrifugation followed by tangential flow filtration and size-exclusion chromatography. Morphological and biophysical analyses revealed spherical vesicles, while proteomic profiling identified 197 proteins, including suggested PDNV markers such as annexin, HSP70, GAPDH, elongation factors, malate dehydrogenase, and TET-8. These proteins were enriched in metabolic processes, stress responses, and cell wall modification pathways. Protein–protein interaction analysis further linked HSP70 to pectinesterases, reinforcing their role in cell wall remodeling and stress adaptation. Functionally, CbNVs were non-cytotoxic to human macrophages, keratinocytes, and intestinal cells. Notably, CbNVs significantly reduced LPS-induced NF-κB expression in macrophages and promoted wound closure in keratinocytes, with superior efficacy compared to the carob bioactive compound D-pinitol. These findings suggest that CbNVs harbor a synergistic cargo of bioactive molecules with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, highlighting their potential as natural nanotherapeutics.