Insights into Health-Promoting Effects of Plant MicroRNAs: A Review

Abstract

Plant-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role in human health and are “dark nutrients”, as opposed to traditional plant nutrients, as well as important components of food diversification. Studies have revealed that multiple plant-derived miRNA pathways affect human health. First, plant miRNAs regulate plant growth and development and accumulation of metabolites, which alters the food quality and thus indirectly interferes with the health of the host. Moreover, when absorbed in vivo, some miRNAs may target the host cell mRNAs to affect protein expression. In addition, plant miRNAs target and reshape the human gut microbiota (GM), which interferes with the physiology and metabolism of the host. Therefore, miRNAs play a significant role in the cross-kingdom communication of plants, GM, and the host and in maintaining a balance of the three. Future contributions of plant miRNAs can bring new perspectives and opportunities to better understand food nutrition and health care research, which will facilitate the right exploitation of plant resources.

Digestion of Plant Dietary miRNAs Starts in the Mouth under the Protection of Coingested Food Components and Plant-Derived Exosome-like Nanoparticles

“…Combined, these findings suggest that plant miRNAs could exploit some mechanisms to maintain themselves at certain concentrations, laying foundations for their regulatory roles. Zhu et al summarized the recent discoveries that plant miRNAs not only regulate host gene expression by targeting specific mRNAs but also have the potential to maintain the balance among plants, hosts, and host gut microbes . Granted, dietary miRNAs, either from plants or from bovine milk, have to maintain at certain concentrations to function cross-kingdomly. , The minimum thresholds of xenomiRNAs should be investigated in future studies concerning their regulatory effects in vitro and in vivo .…”

Involvement of intestinal flora and miRNA into the mechanism of coarse grains improving type 2 diabetes: an overview

“…Unfortunately, the specific mechanisms involved are not yet clear, though it is certain that miRNAs can be taken up and utilized across borders 84 . In addition, plant‐derived miRNAs may regulate host physiological metabolism by targeting intestinal cells or intestinal microorganisms 13 . Although it is not clear whether certain miRNAs can smoothly reach the large intestine through the stomach and small intestine, it is possible to build some particles that can protect miRNAs to reach the large intestine smoothly and thus function as a regulator of intestinal flora 85 .…”

“…12 In addition, plant-derived miRNAs which are also an important component of food diversification, play an important role in human health as 'dark nutrients' as opposed to traditional phytonutrients. 13 MiRNAs are also involved in the regulatory mechanisms of the intestinal flora. A cohort study revealed similar fecal miRNAs expression profiles and intestinal flora features in populations consuming similar dietary components, while results with large differences in dietary components differed significantly, which probably resulted from endogenous/exogenous miRNAs and host-gut microbial interactions.…”

In Vitro Effects of Tartary Buckwheat-Derived Nanovesicles on Gut Microbiota

“…28 We recently reviewed the nutritional mechanisms of plant-derived miRNA and suggested that miRNAs play a significant role in the cross-kingdom communication of plants, GM, and the host and in maintaining a balance of the three. 29 Recent studies show that the exosome-like nanoparticles (derived from carrot, 30 grapefruit, 31,32 and ginger 30,33 ) can mediate mouse intestinal tissue remodeling, prevent inflammatory bowel disease, and reduce the immune response evoked by intestinal barrier damage. Nanovesicles derived from orange juice can reverse the diet-induced changes in the intestinal tract, reduce triglyceride content, regulate the immune response, improve blood lipid level, and reduce inflammation in gastrointestinal diseases.…”

“…However, whether it can be delivered to cells remains unclear . We recently reviewed the nutritional mechanisms of plant-derived miRNA and suggested that miRNAs play a significant role in the cross-kingdom communication of plants, GM, and the host and in maintaining a balance of the three . Recent studies show that the exosome-like nanoparticles (derived from carrot, grapefruit, , and ginger , ) can mediate mouse intestinal tissue remodeling, prevent inflammatory bowel disease, and reduce the immune response evoked by intestinal barrier damage.…”