Investigating the role of Lin28/Let7 pathway and RF-amide-related peptides in precocious puberty: therapeutic insights from traditional Chinese

Abstract

Precocious puberty, defined as the onset of secondary sexual characteristics before age 8 in girls and 9 in boys, poses significant 
physical and psychological challenges for affected children. This mini-review investigates the role of the Lin28/Let7 pathway and 
RF-amide-related peptides (RFRPs) in the regulation of puberty, focusing on their implications for precocious puberty. Recent 
studies highlight the Lin28/Let7 pathway as a critical regulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion, with 
disruptions linked to early pubertal onset. Moreover, RFRPs function as inhibitors of GnRH, acting to delay the activation of the 
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Importantly, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a potential therapeutic 
intervention, demonstrating efficacy in modulating these pathways and delaying precocious puberty in animal models. This review 
synthesizes current findings to enhance understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying precocious puberty and proposes 
potential therapeutic strategies informed by TCM and molecular insights.