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Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Cancer Pathways Targeted by Berberine: Role of microRNAs
Mansoor Ali1, Deepali Mishra1, Rana Pratap Singh1,2,3
1Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous malignant disease. Due to its multifactorial nature, including progressive changes in genetic, epigenetic, transcript, and protein levels, conventional therapeutics fail to save cancer patients. Evidence indicates that dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and signaling pathways. Moreover, miRNAs can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Berberine, a naturally occurring plant alkaloid, has a wide spectrum of biological activities in different types of cancers. Inhibition of cell proliferation, metastasis, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, as well as induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells, is reported by berberine. Recent studies suggested that berberine regulates many oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs implicated in different phases of cancer. This review discussed how berberine inhibits cancer growth and propagation and regulates miRNAs in cancer cells. And how berberine-mediated miRNA regulation changes the landscape of transcripts and proteins that promote or suppress cancer progression. Overall, the underlying molecular pathways altered by berberine and miRNA influencing the tumor pathophysiology will enhance our understanding to combat the malignancy.
Insights
Berberine, a natural compound, combats cancer by regulating microRNAs (miRNAs). This review explores how berberine influences cancer cell behavior and progression through miRNA modulation, offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer is a complex disease driven by genetic and epigenetic changes, often rendering conventional therapies ineffective.
- MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is a key factor in cancer development, progression, and metastasis.
- miRNAs hold potential as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of berberine in cancer treatment.
- To elucidate how berberine regulates microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer cells.
- To explore the impact of berberine-mediated miRNA changes on cancer-related transcripts and proteins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on berberine, miRNAs, and cancer.
- Analysis of research detailing berberine's effects on cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis.
- Examination of studies investigating berberine's influence on oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs.
Main Results:
- Berberine exhibits anticancer activities, including inhibition of proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis.
- Berberine modulates the expression of numerous oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs.
- Berberine-mediated miRNA regulation alters transcript and protein profiles, impacting cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- Berberine shows significant potential as an anticancer agent through its ability to regulate miRNAs.
- Understanding berberine-induced miRNA alterations provides insights into molecular pathways crucial for combating cancer.
- Berberine's miRNA-targeting mechanisms offer a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
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