Plant-derived microRNA elements: Nutraceutical for cancer treatment

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a plant-derived microRNA molecule or its synthetic equivalent, selected from plant-mir-20, plant-mir-27, plant-mir-34, or plant-mir-168a, to reduce tumor proliferation by regulating the expression of cancer-related proteins in humans. A functional plant microRNA or an extract containing said functional plant microRNA, a method for its preparation, and an application thereof are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of a water-soluble extract of Moninga oleifera seeds as an active ingredient, alone or in combination with at least one other active ingredient, to prepare a nutraceutical composition used to treat or prevent cancer. The composition is readily absorbed into cells and exhibits selectively toxic benefits for cancer cells but not for normal cells.The invention therefore provides a new therapeutic method based on endogenous or synthetic microRNAs with plant functionality capable of regulating non-plant target genes associated with the mammalian sirt-1 pathway and reducing the proliferation of human cancer cells.