hUMSC vs. hUMSC–Exosome: Which One Is Better for Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by abnormal brain cell activity that results in seizures. It causes progressive damage to neurons. Epilepsy treatment currently focuses mostly on symptoms, which also have risks of unwanted side effects. There is currently no effective treatment to prevent epileptogenesis and the resulting neural damage. Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell (hUMSC) and exosome therapy are examples of cellular therapies that may be used to treat degenerative diseases, such as epilepsy, or cell damage. However, there is still little research on the use of hUMSCs or hUMSC–exosomes for treating epilepsy. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to compare the potential and risk of hUMSCs and hUMSC–exosomes as therapies for epilepsy. This article provides a brief summary of hUMSCs and hUMSC–exosomes in multiple aspects, such as the isolation and purification method, the mechanism of action, immunological compatibility, tumorigenicity, the risk of transmitting disease, stability upon storage, the potential of new composition with other substances, and also ethical and political issues. We conclude that hUMSCs and hUMSC–exosomes have therapeutic potential for epilepsy, with hUMSC–exosomes being safer due to their reduced immunogenicity.