Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous small membrane structures that originate from plasma membranes. Although most EVs have a diameter of 50–200 nm, larger ones are also observed. Generally, particles up to a diameter of 1000 nm are regarded as EVs. They are typically isolated from the conditioned media of cultured cells. The contents of EVs include proteins, mRNA, microRNA (miRNA), and nucleic acids. Each vesicle performs a specific function in transferring biological material(s) to induce biological processes, such as replication, growth, apoptosis, and necrosis.

| EV Origin | Target Disease | Mechanisms & Characteristics | Animals Used | Ref. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells | Wound healing | Promoting M2 polarization of macrophages miR-223 wound healing by transferring EV-derived microRNA |
6–8 weeks old female C57BL/6 J mice | [28] |
| Mesenchymal stem cells | Alzheimer’s disease | Evaluating mouse cognitive deficits Stimulating neurogenesis in the subventricular zone Alleviating beta amyloid 1−42-induced cognitive impairment |
7–8-week-old C57BL/6 mice | [36] |
| Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells | Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury | Protection of animals from death due to cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury | 6-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats | [37] |
| Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells | Pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus | Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects Increasing normal hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive and memory function |
6–8-week-old C57BL/6 mice | [38] |
| Mesenchymal stromal cells | A newborn rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by 14 days of neonatal hyperoxia exposure (85% O2) | Protecting from apoptosis, inhibiting inflammation, and increasing angiogenesis Preventing the disruption of alveolar growth, increasing small blood vessel number, and inhibiting right heart hypertrophy at P14, P21, and P56 |
Newborn rats | [39] |
| Embryonic mesenchymal stem cells | Critical-sized osteochondral defects (1.5 mm diameter and 1.0 mm depth) | Complete restoration of cartilage and subchondral bone | 8-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats | [40] |
| Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells | Perinatal brain injury (hypoxic-ischemic and inflammatory with lipopolysaccharide) | Inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and preventing microgliosis in rats with perinatal brain injury Decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β expression in injured brains |
2-day-old Wistar rat pups | [41] |
| Umbilical Cord mesenchymal stem cells | CCl4-induced liver injury | Suppressing the development of liver tumors Inhibiting oxidative stress in liver tumors Reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis in liver fibrosis |
4–5-week-old female BALB/c mice | [42] |
| Mesenchymal stromal cells | Cavernous nerve injury (CNI) | Enhancing smooth muscle content and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the corpus cavernosum Improving erectile function after CNI Increasing penile nNOS expression and alleviating cell apoptosis |
10-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats | [43] |
| Mesenchymal stem cells | Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with a 20 mm cylindrical impactor hemorrhaged over 12.5 min using a Masterflex pump |
Lowering Neurological Severity Score (NSS) (p < 0.05) during the first five days post-injury Faster full neurological recovery |
35–45 kg female Yorkshire swine | [44] |
| Mesenchymal stem cells | UV-irradiated skin | Attenuating UV-induced histological injury and inflammatory response in mouse skin Preventing cell proliferation and collagen deposition in UV-irradiated mouse skin Increasing antioxidant activity |
newborn and adult Kunming mice | [45] |