Exosomes are naturally occurring nano size vehicles, composed of lipid bilayer with enclosing adhesive proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNA). They contain surface molecules that enable their uptake by recipient cells. Once attached, to the target cell, they induce signalling pathways via receptorligand interactions, get phagocytised and/ or fuse with the cell membrane to deliver the contents to its cytosol and produce the intended physiopharmacological response. The Exosomes secreted by monocytes and macrophages are capable of avoiding entrapment by the immune system complex and thereby they enhancethe effective delivery of the incorporated drug to the target cell. Recently, a new exosomal based drug delivery system has been developed using the enzyme catalase for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The catalase is loaded into the exosome ex vivo, the size of the exosome catalase formulation (exoCAT) is ranged between 100-200nm. The methods of loading the catalase includes: incubation at room temperature, permeabilization with saponin, sustained release and preservation of catalase against degradation by proteases. The encapsulation of catalase into Exosomes may preserve catalase enzymatic activity, prolong bioavailability and improve therapeutic efficacy of the drug. Hence, exosome based formulations are effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders which are attributed to their ability to cross the otherwise impermeable biological barriers by using patient-derived tissue as a source of biocompatible and individualized therapeutic drug delivery vehicles.
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