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Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Signalling Pathways: Role of miRNA Targeting

Ambreen Shoaib1, Mohammad Tabish2, Shafat Ali3

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|April 21, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Dietary phytochemicals regulate microRNAs (miRNAs) to combat cancer. These natural compounds offer a safe, cost-effective approach to cancer treatment by modulating gene expression and inhibiting tumor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Cancer is a complex disease driven by genetic mutations and uncontrolled cell division, often leading to recurrence or resistance with conventional therapies.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in cancer development and progression by regulating genes involved in cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • Current cancer treatments like chemotherapy face limitations due to recurrence and resistance, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of dietary phytochemicals as anticancer agents by examining their role in regulating microRNAs (miRNAs).
  • To identify specific phytochemicals and their mechanisms of action in modulating cancer-related signaling pathways via miRNA regulation.
  • To establish phytochemical-miRNA interactions as a safe and effective therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the effects of dietary phytochemicals on miRNA expression in various cancer types.
  • Analysis of specific phytochemicals, including curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and their impact on cancer signaling pathways.
  • Identification of targeted miRNAs and their associated cellular pathways modulated by phytochemicals.

Main Results:

  • Several dietary phytochemicals, such as curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, demonstrate significant regulatory effects on miRNA expression.
  • These phytochemicals modulate key cancer signaling pathways, including SHH, Notch, TGFβ1/SMAD, Wnt/β-catenin, and JAK2/STAT3, thereby inhibiting cancer progression.
  • Phytochemicals can upregulate or downregulate specific miRNAs, offering a targeted approach to cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary phytochemicals represent a promising class of compounds for cancer treatment due to their ability to regulate miRNAs.
  • Targeting miRNAs with specific phytochemicals provides a safe, cost-effective, and potentially more effective strategy compared to conventional therapies.
  • Further research into phytochemical-miRNA interactions can lead to novel therapeutic interventions for various cancers.
Keywords:
Cancerdietary phytochemicalsmiRNAsphytochemicalssignalling pathwaystargets.

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