Has Anyone so far Bridged the Gap between microRNA, Botanicals and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Abstract

Background/Context: Current debate concerning properties of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is nothing new. More recent information can be found on functional aspects of microRNA (miRNA) in botanicals and mammals, suggesting that the aging process and cancer development are regulated by these molecules. Interestingly, some dietary supplements (especially botanicals) have been reported to have cancer chemopreventive and/or anti-cancer properties and are common ingredients in so-called "anti-aging" creams.Objective: The present study was therefore conducted to determine the state-of-the-art on botanicals, OSCC, and their relationship to miRNA. Methods/Design: PubMed and Google Scholar were interrogated for articles published in English between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010 that discuss botanicals and which could possibly be used in treating OSCC. Additional searches in Google, Google Scholar, PubMed and KoreaMed were conducted to detect possible associations between miRNAs and the aforementioned items. Results:The current body of literature suggests that botanicals might deliver some of their properties via miRNAs. No report was found however that makes a direct connection to OSCC. It therefore has not been determined whether there is an association between botanicals, OSCC, and miRNA molecules that could possibly have "anti-aging" as well as cancer chemopreventive and/or anti-cancer properties.Conclusions: Systematic studies are needed to determine whether it is miRNA that could dispense possible therapeutic properties of botanicals on OSCC.