Therapeutic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Platycladus Orientalis Leaf in Treating Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia

September 2025 in “ Frontiers in Pharmacology ”

Peiyu Liu, Gang He, Yongping Lu, Juanjuan He, Fan Wu, Jia Meng, Shaochang Jia, Roger Fan, Hongwei Liang, Bing Liu, Min Li

Studysummary This study suggests that <i>P. orientalis</i> leaf-derived EVs could offer anxiolytic, antidepressant, and sleep-inducing benefits by affecting neurotransmitter levels and reducing inflammation, particularly when administered intranasally. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigates the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Platycladus orientalis leaves in treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia using rodent models. The EVs, administered intranasally, showed significant improvements in anxiety-like behaviors, depression symptoms, and sleep parameters. They normalized neurotransmitter levels (5-HT, GABA), reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased TGF-β expression, indicating their multimodal therapeutic effects. The study suggests that these plant-derived EVs could offer a novel and promising alternative to conventional treatments for psychiatric disorders, with fewer side effects. However, further research and clinical trials are needed to assess their safety and efficacy in humans.

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research Extracellular Vesicle-Based Drug Overview: Research Landscape, Quality Control, and Nonclinical Evaluation Strategies

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This review highlights the potential of extracellular vesicle-based therapies for treating various diseases, but it also notes challenges like the lack of regulatory guidelines that hinder their clinical development.

research Lambertianic Acid from Platycladus Orientalis Inhibits Muscle Atrophy in Dexamethasone-Induced C2C12 Muscle Atrophy Cells

2 citations , April 2025 in “Plants”

This study found that lambertianic acid from Platycladus orientalis leaves may protect against dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by reducing atrophy-related proteins without affecting cell viability.

research Platycladus Orientalis Leaf Extract Promotes Hair Growth Via Non-Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ACK1 Activation

October 2024 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology”

In this experimental study, the researchers observed that Platycladus orientalis leaf extract promoted hair growth by enhancing dermal papilla cell proliferation and increasing growth factor expression, particularly through ACK1 activation and modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in cultured human cells and a 12-week topical application.

research Antioxidant Properties of Platycladus Orientalis Flavonoids for Treating UV-Induced Damage in Androgenetic Alopecia Hair

June 2024 in “Molecules/Molecules online/Molecules annual”

This study found that Platycladus orientalis flavonoids may reduce oxidative damage and slow melanin degradation in AGA-affected hair, improving its quality.

research Unlocking the Medicinal Potential of Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Current Progress and Future Perspectives

May 2024 in “International journal of nanomedicine”

This review highlights the potential of extracellular vesicles derived from medicinal plants as therapeutics for diseases such as cancer and inflammation, suggesting they may enhance the clinical use of herbal preparations, despite the challenges posed by extract complexity and individual variability.

Simultaneous Determination of Quercitrin, Afzelin, Amentoflavone, Hinokiflavone in Rat Plasma by UFLC-MS-MS and Its Application to the Pharmacokinetics of Platycladus Orientalis Leaves Extract

research Simultaneous Determination of Quercitrin, Afzelin, Amentoflavone, Hinokiflavone in Rat Plasma by UFLC-MS-MS and Its Application to the Pharmacokinetics of Platycladus Orientalis Leaves Extract

15 citations , June 2018 in “Journal of Chromatographic Science”

This study successfully developed a method to measure four flavonoids from Platycladus orientalis leaves in rat plasma, which was used in a pharmacokinetic study on healthy rats.

research Hair Growth Promoting Activity of Cedrol Isolated from the Leaves of Platycladus Orientalis

39 citations , July 2016 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy”

In this animal study, researchers found that cedrol, a constituent from Platycladus orientalis, significantly promoted hair growth in a dose-dependent manner in female C57BL/6 mice, surpassing results from blank control and 2% minoxidil groups over 21 days.