Bamboo shoots-derived nanovesicles (BSNs) induce apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells through the p53 signaling pathway

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Nanovesicles have been demonstrated to be important mediators of intercellular communication in NSCLC. Plant-derived nanovesicles contain lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and pharmacologically active substances, and have attracted increasing attention as potential anticancer agents due to their easy availability, low toxicity, and demonstrated biological activities. However, the role of edible plant-derived nanovesicles in cancer regulation remains poorly understood. Methods: model. Cellular uptake of BSN was evaluated, and their effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed. Selectivity was examined using non-cancer cells (3T3-L1 and RAW264.7) and another cancer cell line (HeLa). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, followed by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Apoptosis and signaling pathways were further analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Results: BSN were efficiently internalized by A549 cells and significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This inhibitory effect was not observed in non-cancer cells (3T3-L1 and RAW264.7) or in another cancer cell line (HeLa). RNA-seq analysis indicated that BSN treatment mainly affected the cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways. Among the Top 20 core genes identified in the PPI network, 13 were associated with Akt-related pathways. Further experiments demonstrated that BSN promoted apoptosis in A549 cells through modulation of the Akt/p53 signaling pathway. Discussion: These findings indicate that BSN selectively target NSCLC cells and induce apoptosis via the Akt/p53 pathway, thereby exerting anti-tumor effects in A549 cells. This study highlights the potential of bamboo shoot-derived nanovesicles as a promising plant-based therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.