Role of microRNA profiling in oral submucous fibrosis pathogenesis and anticarcinogenic action of curcumin in microRNA dysregulation in oral carcinogenesis: A literature update

Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a potentially malignant disorder carrying the highest risk of malignant transformation among the oral premalignant lesions. A wide range of treatment modalities have been proposed for OSF, but none have proved curative or reduced the morbidity significantly. Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol, derived from turmeric with its wide spectrum of biological functions has been widely accepted as a therapeutic drug in OSF. Recent studies have focused on the regulation of anticancer effect of curcumin through the regulation of microRNA (miRNA). miRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that play an important role in cellular growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune response, functioning either as tumor suppressors or as tumor promoter. The review attempts to summarize the present understanding of molecular dysregulation of miRNA in OSF pathogenesis and lay new insight on the molecular mechanism of anticarcinogenic effect of curcumin on miRNA involved in oral cancer.

Keywords

• Areca nut
• carcinogenesis
• curcumin
• microRNA
• OSF