In Vitro analysis of biological effects of Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)-Derived Nanovesicles (TDNVs) as a potential therapeutic for wound treatment

Plant-derived nanovesicles have been considered interesting in medicine for their breakthrough biological effects, including wound healing. However, tomato-derived nanovesicles (TDNVs) were not studied for their effects on wound closure yet. TDNVs were isolated from Solanum lycopersicum (var. Piccadilly) ripe tomatoes by ultracentrifugation. Extract (collected during the isolation procedure) and NVs (pellet) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and laser doppler electrophoresis. Wound healing in the presence of Extract or NVs was analysed by a scratch assay with monocultures of human keratinocytes (HUKE) or NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Cell proliferation and migration were studied by MTT and agarose spot assay, respectively. The vesicles in the Extract and NVs samples were nanosized with a similar mean diameter of 115 nm and 130 nm, respectively. Both Extract and NVs accelerated wound closure of injured HUKE and NIH-3T3 monocultures, already at 6h post-injury. Although both samples exerted no cytotoxic effect on HUKE and NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, they did not augment cell proliferation. NVs and Extract increased cell migration of both cell types. NVs from tomatoes may accelerate wound healing by increasing keratinocyte and fibroblast migration. These results indicate the potential therapeutic usefulness of TDNVs in the treatment of chronic or hard-to-heal ulcers.