Melatonin affects the expression of microRNA-21: A mini-review of current evidence.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to summarize the anti-tumor effects of Melatonin, focusing on its epigenetic mechanisms, particularly its modulation of oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs.
Results Summary
Melatonin exhibits anti-tumor effects through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, and anti-angiogenic properties, with recent evidence highlighting its role in epigenetic alterations, including modulation of microRNAs like miR-21, miR-20a, miR-27a, and miR-34a/c. These changes influence tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and chemo-resistance.
Population
In vitro and experimental models (not specified for human subjects).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Melatonin (MLT) | decrease | tumor effects | - | - | possess promising anti-tumor effects | #1 |
MLT | neutral | expression of several oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs(miRNAs) | - | - | modulation of the expression of several oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs(miRNAs) | #2 |
MLT | decrease | oncomicroRNAs such as microRNA-21, - 20a, and - 27a | - | - | Suppression of oncomicroRNAs such as microRNA-21, - 20a, and - 27a | #3 |
MLT | increase | microRNA-34 a/c | - | - | up-regulation of microRNA-34 a/c | #4 |
MLT | neutral | expression of microRNAs which are involved in different models and numerous stages of tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and chemo-resistance | in vitro and experimental studies | - | impacts on the expression of microRNAs which are involved in different models and numerous stages of tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and chemo-resistance | #5 |
Melatonin (MLT) is an endogenous hormone produced by pineal gland which possess promising anti-tumor effects. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of MLT, along with its immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, and anti-angiogenic properties, are often referred to the main mechanisms of its anti-tumor effects. Recent evidence has suggested that epigenetic alterations are also involved in the anti-tumor properties of MLT. Among these MLT-induced epigenetic alterations is modulation of the expression of several oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs(miRNAs). MiRNAs are among the most promising and potential therapeutic and diagnostic tools in different diseases and enhanced the development of better therapeutic drugs. Suppression of oncomicroRNAs such as microRNA-21, - 20a, and - 27a as well as, up-regulation of microRNA-34 a/c are among the most important effects of MLT on microRNAs homeostasis. Recently, miR-21 has attracted the attention of scientists due to the its wide range of effects on different cancers and diseases. Regulation of this RNA may be a key to the development of better therapeutic targets. The present review will summarize the findings of in vitro and experimental studies of MLT-induced impacts on the expression of microRNAs which are involved in different models and numerous stages of tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and chemo-resistance.