Exploring the link between phytochemicals, miRNA expression, and cancer: a comprehensive bioinformatics approach

Phytochemicals, naturally occurring compounds in plants, have significant potential in modulating microRNA (miRNA) expression, offering therapeutic options for cancer treatment with reduced side effects and lower drug resistance. This study explores the relationship between phytochemicals, miRNA expression, and cancer using a comprehensive bioinformatics approach. MiRNAs, short non-coding RNAs, regulate gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of target genes, playing pivotal roles in cancer biology. The objectives of this study were to identify cancer-associated miRNAs regulated by phytochemicals, determine their target genes, and perform gene enrichment analysis with network visualisation. A literature search using the terms "phytochemicals," "miRNA," and "cancer" was conducted, with miRNAs selected based on their association with phenolic compounds, carotenoids, alkaloids, and organosulfur compounds. Bioinformatics tools such as DIANA TOOLS and TargetScan were employed to identify miRNA target genes, while STRING and Cytoscape facilitated the construction of protein-protein interaction networks and gene enrichment analysis. The study identified 42 miRNAs regulated by phytochemicals, linked to 1,951 target genes. Among them, hsa-miR-34a, regulated by curcumin, resveratrol, and genistein, emerged as a promising candidate for colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. This miRNA influences critical processes such as cell differentiation, division, and apoptosis, and is involved in pathways like p53, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signalling. These findings highlight hsa-miR-34a’s potential as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Future research should focus on experimentally validating these predictions and integrating additional databases and bioinformatics tools to enhance the reliability and scope of the results. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the molecular interactions between phytochemicals, miRNAs, and cancer, paving the way for the development of targeted therapies for this complex disease.