RNA signaling in medicinal plants: An overlooked mechanism for phytochemical regulation

IF 2.3 Q3 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports Pub Date : 2025-04-29 DOI:10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102032

Esther Ugo Alum , Chidozie Dennis Udechukwu , David Chukwu Obasi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background/objective

Medicinal plants are invaluable sources of bioactive phytochemicals critical for global health. This mini review explores the role of RNA signaling in regulating phytochemical production in medicinal plants, highlighting its potential for optimizing their therapeutic potential.

Methods

This mini review integrates insights from recent studies published in Scopus and Web of Science (2019–2025) on RNA-mediated signaling, including small RNAs (sRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs).

Results

RNA signaling is revealed as a pivotal mechanism in secondary metabolite regulation, mediating stress-induced compound synthesis and environmental interactions. Notable findings include the role of siRNAs in activating alkaloid pathways and lncRNAs in regulating phenolic compound biosynthesis. RNA-directed DNA methylation and systemic RNA signaling further highlight its versatility in phytochemical regulation.

Conclusion

RNA signaling enhances medicinal plant research, unlocking therapeutic potential through bioactive compound production. The study calls for focused research to bridge knowledge gaps and translate laboratory findings into field applications.

Abstract Image

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药用植物中的RNA信号：一个被忽视的植物化学调控机制

背景/目的药用植物是对全球健康至关重要的生物活性植物化学物质的宝贵来源。这篇综述探讨了RNA信号在药用植物中调控植物化学物质产生的作用，并强调了其优化药用植物治疗潜力的潜力。方法：本综述整合了近期发表在Scopus和Web of Science（2019-2025）上的关于rna介导的信号传导的研究见解，包括小rna （sRNAs）、长链非编码rna （lncRNAs）和信使rna （mrna）。结果rna信号在次生代谢调节、介导应激诱导的化合物合成和环境相互作用等方面发挥着重要作用。值得注意的发现包括sirna在激活生物碱途径中的作用以及lncrna在调节酚类化合物生物合成中的作用。RNA导向的DNA甲基化和系统性RNA信号进一步凸显了其在植物化学调控中的多功能性。结论rna信号通路促进了药用植物的研究，通过生物活性化合物的生产释放了治疗潜力。该研究呼吁进行重点研究，以弥合知识差距，并将实验室发现转化为现场应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-Biophysics

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

0.00%

发文量

191

审稿时长

59 days

期刊介绍： Open access, online only, peer-reviewed international journal in the Life Sciences, established in 2014 Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports (BB Reports) publishes original research in all aspects of Biochemistry, Biophysics and related areas like Molecular and Cell Biology. BB Reports welcomes solid though more preliminary, descriptive and small scale results if they have the potential to stimulate and/or contribute to future research, leading to new insights or hypothesis. Primary criteria for acceptance is that the work is original, scientifically and technically sound and provides valuable knowledge to life sciences research. We strongly believe all results deserve to be published and documented for the advancement of science. BB Reports specifically appreciates receiving reports on: Negative results, Replication studies, Reanalysis of previous datasets.