Flavonoids and miRNA Modulation: A Novel Approach to Managing Cancer, Diabetes, Depression, and Neurological...

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and play essential roles in various cellular processes. Disruption of their normal expression contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including cancer, diabetes, depression, and neurological disorders. Consequently, restoring or inhibiting miRNA function has become a major focus of research, utilizing advanced technologies. Despite their potential, the clinical application of these technologies remains limited due to challenges related to delivery, specificity, cost, and safety. In contrast, growing evidence suggests that natural compounds-particularly flavonoids, a class of polyphenolic compounds abundant in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, and whole grains-can beneficially modulate miRNA expression. Studies across various disease models have demonstrated that flavonoids influence disease-related pathways through miRNA regulation, showing promising results in reducing disease complications, especially in preclinical mouse models. Therefore, diets rich in flavonoids are not only beneficial for disease prevention but also hold potential therapeutic value through the targeted modulation of miRNAs. The effectiveness of flavonoids across a wide spectrum of chronic diseases introduces a novel class of miRNA modulators with significant potential for clinical application. This review comprehensively examines recent studies on the use of various flavonoids in cellular models, animal models, and human tissue samples related to cancer, diabetes, depression, and neurological disorders. It further explores the molecular mechanisms through which flavonoids regulate miRNA expression, including transcriptional control, epigenetic modifications, and modulation of signaling pathways. Additionally, the review discusses the therapeutic opportunities and challenges associated with flavonoid use and proposes potential strategies to overcome these limitations.