# Plant Extracellular Vesicles: Investigating Their Utilization as Beneficial Nutrients in Diet
## 2 Structure and Biological Composition of P-EVs
For instance, miRNA-156a, which is abundantly expressed in green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, and lettuce, has a protective effect against the progression of atherosclerosis [28]. Recent evidence also shows an emerging function of P-EVs miRNA in the treatment of COVID-19, by binding to multiple sites of the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome and subsequently inhibiting viral replication [29]. The table below (Table 3) summarizes the therapeutic activities reported for plant-derived miRNA. \begin{table}
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**Lipid Families in P-EVs** & **Type** & **Role** & **Source** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Phosphatidic acid} & \multirow{4}{*}{Membrane phospholipid} & Activation of cellular signaling pathways & Ginger and grape EVs \\  & & Activation of cell signaling pathways & Extracellular fluid of sunflower seeds \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{3-4} Phosphatidylcholine & Membrane phospholipid & Anti-inflammatory properties & Graprefruit and ginger EVS \\ Phosphatidylethanolamine & Membrane phospholipid & Membrane fusion & Graprefruit and ginger EVS \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{3-4} Galactolipids & Glycolipid found in & Anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects & Ginger EVs rich in monogalucosyltransferaselglycerol and \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{3-4}  & & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Main lipid families found in plant EVs by lipidomic profiling. \begin{table}
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**Protein Families in P-EVs** & **Type** & **Role** & **Source** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Heat-shock proteins (HSPs)} & \multirow{4}{*}{Membrane proteins} & Produced under cells & HSP70 and HSP90 highly \\  & & undergoing stress & expressed in citrus species EVs \\ \cline{1-1}  & & Plant growth and & HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 found \\ \cline{1-1}  & & nutrient internalization & in sunflower and graprefruit EV \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{3-4} Aquaporins & Trans-membrane proteins & Water transport across the membrane & Citrus species and leaf apoplast \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{3-4} Annexins & Membrane proteins & Regulation of cell turgor & EV biogenesis \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{3-4}  & & Vesicle trafficking & Grape and graprefruit EVs \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Main protein families found in plant EVs by proteomic profiling. It is well known that plants produce a plethora of secondary metabolites, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, and glucosinolates, having antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomododulatory effects and that support the stability of intestinal microflora [4]. Most of these natural compounds are packaged into P-EVs during biogenesis, conferring additional value on health and its beneficial impact [25]. Moreover, these active metabolites are more concentrated in EVs than in cell plants, as demonstrated in finger-derived EVs that show much higher 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol amounts. These EVpacked gingerols are efficiently delivered to the intestines of rats and are absorbed [39]. Similarly, [PERSON] demonstrated a high content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in strawberry-derived EVs with a strong antioxidant effect [40], and [PERSON] suggested the efficiency of broccoli-derived EVs that carried sulforaphene by using a model of mouse colitis [41]. Considering that P-EVs represent a source of phytochemicals, the effects of these vesicles on animal cells may be predictable, although further investigation is needed.