A systematic review of phytochemicals from Chinese herbal medicines for non-coding RNAs-mediated cancer prevention and treatment: From molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications

• Published in: Medicine in novel technology and devices 2022-12, Vol.16, p.100192, Article 100192
• Main Authors: Zhai, Wenjuan, Hu, Yu, Zhang, Ying, Zhang, Guiyu, Chen, Haipeng, Tan, Xuanjing, Zheng, Yuting, Gao, Wenhui, Wei, Yijie, Wu, Jinjun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer prevention and treatment; Chinese herbal medicines; Non-coding RNAs; Phytochemicals
• ISSN: 2590-0935; 2590-0935
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medntd.2022.100192

Worldwide, cancer is a growing epidemic that results in large social and economic burdens. Despite advances in current diagnosis and treatment, most of the prognosis in cancer patients remains poor. It is urgent to find alternative therapies with effective cancer prevention and treatment. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been increasingly used worldwide for cancer prevention and treatment due to their privileged properties. CHMs are useful in the suppression of various types of cancers through different mechanisms of action. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs, are closely involved in the cancer progression and development. Regulation of ncRNAs in tumor cells may be a useful pharmacological strategy for the cancer prevention and treatment. Substantial evidence exists that various phytochemicals from CHMs exert potent anticarcinogenic effects by regulating ncRNAs-related targets and signaling pathways. Herein, the purpose of this paper is to conclude the current understanding of phytochemicals from CHMs in ncRNAs-mediated cancer suppression and the molecular mechanisms. This review will help to provide beneficial clues related to the clinical use of CHMs in the cancer prevention and treatment and further promote new drug discovery against cancer. •NcRNAs are closely involved in the cancer progression and development.•Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used for cancer prevention and treatment.•NcRNAs mediate phytochemicals-induced cancer prevention and treatment.