Targeting Epigenetically Deregulated miRNA by Nutraceuticals: Focusing on Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

In recent years, the epigenetic alterations, especially the regulation of microRNA (miRNA), have received much attention in the context of tumor development and progression. High level of oncogenic miRNAs and low expression of tumor-suppressive miRNAs are commonly observed in cancer cells. These aberrant expressions of miRNAs are intimately associated with tumor development and progression. The expression level of miRNAs could be controlled by epigenetic regulations. The hypermethylation at the promoter region of a tumor-suppressive miRNA could cause decreased expression of miRNA via the blockade of transcriptional elements. The histone modification could also indirectly cause reduced expression of tumor-suppressive miRNAs, resulting in the high expression of oncogenes. Interestingly, emerging evidences have demonstrated that several non-toxic natural agents known as nutraceuticals including isoflavone, curcumin, resveratrol, and 3,3′-diindolylmethane could significantly decrease the level of DNA hypermethylation in the promoter of miRNAs or modulate histone, leading to the alteration of miRNA expression which is believed to be associated with inhibition of tumor development and progression. Therefore, administration of these nutraceuticals combined with conventional chemotherapeutics could be a promising therapeutic strategy for fighting the war against cancers.

Magnitude of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy and associated factors among adult people living with HIV/AIDS in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

“…Poor ART adherence was reported among underprivileged communities where socioeconomic inequalities heighten the risk (Young et al, 2014) and lower quality of life is prevalent (Liping et al, 2015;Hansana et al, 2013), negatively impacting the HIV program (Wang et al, 2011). For PLWHA, factors related to gender dimensions, socioeconomic factors such as education status, income, asset possession and food security have been associated with non-adherence to ART (Basti et al, 2017;Abera et al, 2015;Alagaw et al, 2013). For example, in South Africa (Eyassu, Mothiba & Mbambo-Kekana, 2016), Cameroon (Fonsah et al, 2017) and northern Tanzania (Samuel Edward et al, 2018), gender, income and level of education were reported as the determinants of ART adherence.…”

The apoptosis mechanisms of HepG2 cells induced by bitter melon seed

“…miRNA can change tumorigenesis and reverse a variety of cancer phenotypes including uncontrolled cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis (Curti et al, 2014). There are several reports on dietary-regulated miRNAs in breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and so on (Li & Sarkar, 2015;Ueda et al, 2009). However, how miR-421 is involved in apoptosis induced by BMSW is not well understood.…”

Regulatory Mechanisms of Epigenetic miRNA Relationships in Human Cancer and Potential as Therapeutic Targets

“…These “oncomiRs” may be switched on by abnormal CpG hypomethylation, an indicator of oncogene activation [ 110 ]. As discussed earlier, several studies using a range of cell lines have indicated overexpression of numerous miRNAs following treatment with epigenetic drugs [ 111 , 112 , 113 ]. The let-7a-3 locus is hypermethylated in normal human lung tissue, but in some lung adenocarcinomas, it becomes hypomethylated and overexpressed [ 114 ].…”