miR2916-p5 and miR6478 from
Bai D, Islam MN, Cheng D, Feng H, Xu T
Plant Signaling
Herbs and plants you brew into teas or take as supplements may be doing far more than delivering vitamins — their microscopic genetic signals could be actively interacting with your body's own gene regulation systems.
Plants contain tiny biological signals called microRNAs that act like little instruction notes for controlling genes. Scientists discovered that these signals from medicinal herbs can survive your stomach acid, get into your bloodstream, and potentially tell your body's cells what to do. This means that when you drink herbal tea or take a plant-based remedy, the plant might literally be 'talking' to your body in a molecular language.
Key Findings
Two specific plant microRNAs — miR2916-p5 and miR6478 — were identified in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and are the focus of cross-kingdom regulatory study.
Plant-derived microRNAs can survive mammalian gastrointestinal digestion, enter the bloodstream, and reach target tissues in the body.
The composition, types, and functions of microRNAs in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs remain poorly characterized, representing a significant research gap.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Tiny molecular messengers called microRNAs found in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs can survive digestion, enter human blood, and potentially influence how our genes work — suggesting that the plants we consume may communicate with our bodies at a molecular level.
Abstract Preview
Cross-kingdom regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) has been widely observed across species. Plant-derived miRNAs can be absorbed through the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, subsequently enter the blo...
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