MicroRNAs as New Bioactive Components in Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Introduction !Endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules of approximately 22 nucleotides that play crucial roles in gene expression [1]. They generally bind to complimentary sequences in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of specific protein-coding genes, but can also interact with other regions of the gene including 5′ UTR and the coding region, inducing mRNA cleavage or translational repression [2]. miRNAs are highly pleiotropic and a single miRNA can recognize hundreds of mRNA transcripts, allowing them to regulate a diverse range of biological pathways. In mammals, an estimated 60 % of all protein-coding genes may contain miRNA binding sites [3,4]. Furthermore, miRNA dysregulation is frequently associated with human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system diseases, and metabolic disorders [5][6][7][8], suggesting their potential as targets for the development of novel therapies for several diseases. There are currently many efforts focusing on the development of miRNA therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. Several preclinical studies on therapeutic miRNA replacement have been initiated [9][10][11], and the first liposomal nanoparticle formulation of miR-34a mimic (MRX34) has entered clinical trials in patients with primary liver cancer [12], highlighting the therapeutic potential of miRNA-based novel approaches to treat diseases. However, severe on-target or off-target side effects could be caused by artificial miRNAs [13,14]. Herbal medicine has been used to treat diseases for centuries. Bioactive secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins have been systematically studied and used as an important source for drugs. However, synthetic supplements of phytochemicals often do not have the same efficacy as complex herb materials. The natural biological active components and mechanistic understanding of actions of plant-derived drugs are permanently discussed. Abstract !Herbal medicine has been used to treat diseases for centuries; however, the biological active components and the mechanistic understanding of actions of plant-derived drugs are permanently discussed. MicroRNAs are a class of small, noncoding RNAs that play crucial roles as regulators of gene expression. In recent years, an increasing number of reports showed that microRNAs not only execute biological functions within their original system, they can also be transmited from one species to another, inducing a posttranscriptional repression of protein synthesis in the recipient. This cross-kingdom regulation of microRNAs provides thrilling clues that small RNAs from medicinal plants might act as new bioactive components, interacting with the mammalian system.In this article, we provide an overview of the cross-kingdom communication of plant-derived microRNAs. We summarize the microRNAs identified in medicinal plants, their potential targets in mammals, and discuss several recent studies concerning the therapeutic applications of plantba...

Retracted: Triptolide inhibits the proliferation and migration of medulloblastoma Daoy cells by upregulation of microRNA‐138

“…20 Emerging evidences suggest that microRNAs can serve as gene regulators capable of controlling gene transcription and participate in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. [22][23][24] MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) has been demonstrated to be downregulated in medulloblastoma tissues 25 and plays tumor suppressive roles in a variety of cancers, including anaplastic thyroid cancer, 26 hepatocellular cancer, 27 lung cancer, 28 renal cell cancer, 29 and colorectal cancer. [22][23][24] MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) has been demonstrated to be downregulated in medulloblastoma tissues 25 and plays tumor suppressive roles in a variety of cancers, including anaplastic thyroid cancer, 26 hepatocellular cancer, 27 lung cancer, 28 renal cell cancer, 29 and colorectal cancer.…”

Regulation of MicroRNAs by Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds Obtained From Common Medicinal Plants: Novel Strategy in Cancer Therapy

“…[5][6][7][8] [13][14][15][16][17][18] The miRNAs regulated by a selection of important anticancer natural products and compounds that obtained from main known medicinal plants are presented in Table 1. As summarized in Table 1, recent studies and clinical trials which are aimed to find novel targets for the treatment of multiple types of cancers, have emphasized the importance of the consumption of natural agents-rich diet, including curcumin, berberine, alkaloids, mitomycin C, resveratrol, camptothecin, topotecan, trabectedin, matrine, honokiol, isoflovones, indole-3-carbinol, sulforaphane, water soluble vitamins, diallyl disulfide, 3,3'-diindolylmethane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hesperidin, etc., additionally syntheses of natural products by the liposome or nanoparticle formulations assays.…”

“…As summarized in Table 1, recent studies and clinical trials which are aimed to find novel targets for the treatment of multiple types of cancers, have emphasized the importance of the consumption of natural agents-rich diet, including curcumin, berberine, alkaloids, mitomycin C, resveratrol, camptothecin, topotecan, trabectedin, matrine, honokiol, isoflovones, indole-3-carbinol, sulforaphane, water soluble vitamins, diallyl disulfide, 3,3'-diindolylmethane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hesperidin, etc., additionally syntheses of natural products by the liposome or nanoparticle formulations assays. 5,7,[16][17][18] The bioactive compounds and natural products have significant influences on the epigenetic changes in the cancer cells. For instance, they regulate the expression levels of miRNAs by effecting the several proteins that are involved in the stages of tumorogenesis both cancer initiation and development.…”

Human Genes AreIn SilicoPotential Targets For Rice miRNA

“…Ex-miRs can function as evolutionary linkers between different species and contribute to signal transmission both within and between species (Arteaga-Vazquez et al, 2006; Axtell, Westholm & Lai, 2011; Millar & Waterhouse, 2005; Moran et al, 2017; Zhao, Cong & Lukiw, 2018). Based on the available data, the authors suggest that such xe-miRNAs contribute to the beneficial properties of medicinal plants (Lukasik & Zielenkiewicz, 2016; Xie, Weng & Melzig, 2016 ) , contribute to the negative properties of disease-causing or poisonous plants, and cross-link species between kingdoms of living organisms by participating in many of the mechanisms associated with the occurrence and pathogenesis of various diseases (Malloci et al, 2018; Melnik, John & Schmitz, 2014; Perge et al, 2017; Pogue et al, 2014).…”