Fig. 2

Therapeutic effects of LGMSC-EVs on experimental SS model. A Schematic representation of the experimental design (Created at https://BioRender.com). B The body weight of the mice remained stable across all groups throughout the treatment period, showing a steady increase with age (n = 5). C Serum glucose levels remained stable across all groups throughout the treatment period (n = 5). D Salivary flow rates were significantly increased in the LGMSC-EV-treated group compared to the PBS control group, with effects surpassing those of HCQ treatment after 12 weeks of age (n = 5). E–F Histopathological analysis of submandibular glands. LGMSC-EV treatment significantly reduced the number and size of lymphocytic infiltration foci, showing comparable efficacy to HCQ treatment (n = 5). A black arrow indicates a lymphocytic infiltration focus (a group of ≥ 50 lymphocytes of gland tissue). Scale bars = 50 μm. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ns: no significance