Expression of miRNA in Regulating Cancer: Role of Phytoconstituents

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding and functional 18-22 nucleotide sequences, which bind to 3’ UTR region of the mRNA and modify mRNA expression by degrading them or modulating their translation process. Besides, miRNAs act as either suppressors or inducers of tumor depending upon binding with the target site. The action of miRNAs is reported for controlling the various important functions like metastasis, angiogenesis, apoptosis and tumor growth. They play an important role in suppressing cancer cell proliferation or invasion by targeting caspases and other factors involved in programmed cell death (apoptosis). So, the application of miRNA is proved to be a novel approach for cancer prevention. According to literature, numerous phytoconstituents isolated from medicinal plants or other botanicals modulate the functioning of different miRNAs which are involved in the pathology and biology of cancer. Therefore, the regulation of miRNA by botanicals or isolated compounds is a new model for researchers to develop/formulate a novel drug to combat this devastating disease. An attempt has been made in this chapter to explore the role of phytoconstituents to control the process of carcinogenesis targeting miRNAs.

Keywords: Apoptosis, Carcinogenesis, Metastasis, miRNA, Oxidative stress, Phytoconstituents, Proliferation, ROS.