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.