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.

PubMed

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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