New insights of medicinal plant therapeutic activity-The miRNA transfer.
MicroRNA (miRNA) has become the spotlight of the biomedical research around the world and is considered to be a major post-transcriptional gene regulator. This small, endogenous RNA (21-25 nucleotides long) plays an important role by targeting specific mRNAs in plants, animals and humans. Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years, however little is known about its molecular mechanism of action. Since the discovery of plant miRNA in human tissue and sera after ingestion, the connection between the two kingdoms is presented under a new perspective. Forward pharmacology, such as miRNA therapeutics could be the next best step toward identifying novel therapeutic options involving medicinal plants. Besides reporting the latest findings regarding the cross-kingdom transfer of miRNA and its therapeutic application, this review can inform further investigations that could lead to a modern definition of herbal medicine.
Biochemistry Department, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharamcy Timisoara, Romania.
Maria
M
Sala-Cirtog
Biochemistry Department, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharamcy Timisoara, Romania.
Catalin
C
Marian
Biochemistry Department, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharamcy Timisoara, Romania. Electronic address: biochim@umft.ro.
Andrei
A
Anghel
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
D035683:MicroRNAs; D028321:Plant Preparations
Cross-kingdom transfer; Exosomes; Phytotherapy; microRNA