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.
