Extracellular vesicles are endogenous nano vesicles secreted by cells, with a diameter of 30-200 nm, wrapped in a lipid bilayer membrane, carrying nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. Extracellular vesicles are the main tool for intercellular communication and participate in the exchange of substances between cells. Extracellular vesicles can be secreted by various cells under normal and pathological conditions, mainly derived from the formation of multivesicular lysosomal particles inside the cells. After the fusion of the extracellular membrane and outer membrane of multivesicular cells, they are released into the extracellular matrix. Due to its low immunogenicity, non-toxic side effects, strong targeting ability, and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is considered a potential drug carrier. In 2013, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three scientists involved in the study of external vesicles. Since then, there has been a wave of research, application, and commercialization of extracellular vesicles in both academia and industry.

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Extracellular vesicles from plant cells are rich in unique active ingredients, have a small volume, and can penetrate tissues. Most of them can be ingested and directly absorbed into the intestine. For example, ginseng bubbles are beneficial for stem cell differentiation into nerve cells, while ginger bubbles can regulate gut microbiota and alleviate colitis. Microalgae are the oldest single celled plants on Earth. There are nearly 300000 species of microalgae, widely distributed in oceans, lakes, rivers, deserts, plateaus, glaciers and other places, with unique regional characteristics. Throughout the evolution of the 3 billion Earth, microalgae have always been able to thrive as single cells on Earth, which is closely related to their extraordinary growth and self-healing abilities.

Microalgae extracellular vesicles are a novel biomedical active material with high safety and stability. Microalgae have the advantages of simple and controllable cultivation process, low cost, fast growth, high vesicle yield, and easy engineering in the production of extracellular vesicles. In previous studies, it was found that microalgae extracellular vesicles are easily internalized by cells. In animal models, it was found that they were directly absorbed through the intestine and enriched in specific tissues. After entering the cytoplasm, it can last for several days, which is beneficial for the long-term sustained release of drugs.

In addition, microalgae extracellular vesicles have the potential to load multiple drugs, improve molecular stability, sustained release, oral adaptability, and solve existing drug delivery barriers. Therefore, the development of microalgae extracellular vesicles has high feasibility in clinical translation and industrialization.