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Article

Therapeutic Efficacy of Plant-Derived Exosomes for Advanced Scar Treatment: Quantitative Analysis Using Standardized Assessment Scales

by
Lidia Majewska
1,*,
Agnieszka Kondraciuk
2,
Iwona Paciepnik
3,
Agnieszka Budzyńska
1,4 and
Karolina Dorosz
5
1
ESME Clinic, Private Practice, ul. Lwowska 1/u16, 30-548 Kraków, Poland
2
Kondraciuk Clinic, Private Practice, ul. Ostrowska 6, 07-410 Ostrołęka, Poland
3
Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Bocheńska 4, 31-061 Kraków, Poland
4
Małopolska Burn and Plastic Surgery Center, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-826 Kraków, Poland
5
Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(8), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081103
Submission received: 19 June 2025 / Revised: 15 July 2025 / Accepted: 18 July 2025 / Published: 25 July 2025

Abstract

Background: Wound healing and scar management remain significant challenges in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Recent advances in regenerative medicine have introduced plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) as potential therapeutic agents due to their bioactive properties. This study examines the clinical application of rose stem cell exosomes (RSCEs) in combination with established treatments for managing different types of scars. Methods: A case series of four patients with different scar etiologies (dog bite, hot oil burn, forehead trauma, and facial laser treatment complications) was treated with RSCEs in combination with microneedling (Dermapen 4.0, 0.2–0.4 mm depth) and/or thulium laser therapy (Lutronic Ultra MD, 8–14 J), or as a standalone topical treatment. All cases underwent sequential treatments over periods ranging from two to four months, with comprehensive photographic documentation of the progression. The efficacy was assessed through clinical photography and objective evaluation using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), along with assessment of scar appearance, texture, and coloration. Results: All cases demonstrated progressive improvement throughout the treatment course. The dog bite scar showed significant objective improvement, with a 71% reduction in modified Vancouver Scar Scale score (from 7/13 to 2/13) and a 61% improvement in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores after four combined treatments. The forehead trauma case exhibited similar outcomes, with a 71% improvement in mVSS score and 55–57% improvement in POSAS scores. The hot oil burn case displayed the most dramatic improvement, with a 78% reduction in mVSS score and over 70% improvement in POSAS scores, resulting in near-complete resolution without visible scarring. The facial laser complication case showed a 75% reduction in mVSS score and ~70% improvement in POSAS scores using only topical exosome application without device-based treatments. Clinical improvements across all cases included reduction in elevation, improved texture, decreased erythema, and better integration with surrounding skin. No adverse effects were reported in any of the cases. Conclusions: This preliminary case series suggests that plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles, specifically rose stem cell exosomes (RSCEs), may enhance scar treatment outcomes when combined with microneedling and laser therapy, or even as a standalone topical treatment. The documented objective improvements, measured by standardized scar assessment scales, along with clinical enhancements in scar appearance, texture, and coloration across different scar etiologies—dog bite, burn, traumatic injury, and iatrogenic laser damage—suggest that this approach may offer a valuable addition to the current armamentarium of scar management strategies. Notably, the successful treatment of laser-induced complications using only topical exosome application demonstrates the versatility and potential of this therapeutic modality.
Keywords: exosomes; plant-derived exosomes; wound healing; scar treatment; microneedling; laser therapy; skin regeneration; rose stem cell exosomes; RSCEs; case series exosomes; plant-derived exosomes; wound healing; scar treatment; microneedling; laser therapy; skin regeneration; rose stem cell exosomes; RSCEs; case series

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MDPI and ACS Style

Majewska, L.; Kondraciuk, A.; Paciepnik, I.; Budzyńska, A.; Dorosz, K. Therapeutic Efficacy of Plant-Derived Exosomes for Advanced Scar Treatment: Quantitative Analysis Using Standardized Assessment Scales. Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18, 1103. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081103

AMA Style

Majewska L, Kondraciuk A, Paciepnik I, Budzyńska A, Dorosz K. Therapeutic Efficacy of Plant-Derived Exosomes for Advanced Scar Treatment: Quantitative Analysis Using Standardized Assessment Scales. Pharmaceuticals. 2025; 18(8):1103. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081103

Chicago/Turabian Style

Majewska, Lidia, Agnieszka Kondraciuk, Iwona Paciepnik, Agnieszka Budzyńska, and Karolina Dorosz. 2025. "Therapeutic Efficacy of Plant-Derived Exosomes for Advanced Scar Treatment: Quantitative Analysis Using Standardized Assessment Scales" Pharmaceuticals 18, no. 8: 1103. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081103

APA Style

Majewska, L., Kondraciuk, A., Paciepnik, I., Budzyńska, A., & Dorosz, K. (2025). Therapeutic Efficacy of Plant-Derived Exosomes for Advanced Scar Treatment: Quantitative Analysis Using Standardized Assessment Scales. Pharmaceuticals, 18(8), 1103. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081103

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