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Research progress on active components from natural medicines inhibiting tumor via epigenetic regulation

Xiao Han1,2, Zhongtian Yang1,3, Xiaoman Chen1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.

Molecular Biology Reports
|May 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Natural medicines can combat tumors by modulating epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications. This review explores how these natural compounds offer a promising avenue for cancer therapy and precision oncology.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Tumorigenesis involves complex interactions between genome, epigenome, and environment.
  • Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone, non-coding RNA, mRNA) are crucial in tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.
  • Natural medicines offer multi-target therapeutic advantages in cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review natural medicines' epigenetic regulation mechanisms against tumors.
  • To elucidate how natural compounds modulate DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and mRNA modifications in cancer.
  • To highlight the potential of natural medicines in modernizing cancer therapy and precision oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing studies on natural medicines and epigenetic regulation in cancer.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which natural medicines influence DNA methylation via DNMTs.
  • Examination of natural medicines' effects on histone modifications targeting HDACs, HKMTs, and HKDMs.
  • Review of natural medicines' regulation of non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, miRNAs, circRNAs) and mRNA modifications (m6A).

Main Results:

  • Natural medicines suppress DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and alter tumor suppressor gene promoter methylation.
  • Natural medicines target histone deacetylases (HDACs), histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs), and histone lysine demethylases (HKDMs) for anti-tumor effects.
  • Natural medicines regulate non-coding RNAs and mRNA modifications like N6-methyladenosine (m6A), impacting downstream cancer pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Natural medicines demonstrate significant potential in modulating epigenetic mechanisms for anti-tumor activity.
  • Understanding these epigenetic effects enhances mechanistic insights into natural medicines' efficacy in cancer therapy.
  • Further investigation and clinical validation are needed to overcome challenges posed by natural medicines' complexity and tumor epigenetic heterogeneity.
Keywords:
DNA methyltransferasesHistone modificationN6-methyladenosineNatural medicinesncRNAs

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