Progress in Anti-tumor Mechanisms of Modified Pectin
ZHANG Wen-bo1, LIU Zhen-hua1, YUAN Xue-yan2, GAO Qi-yu1,∗
(1. School of Life Sciences & Technology, Xinxiang Medical University;
2. School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang Henan 453003, China)

Abstract: Pectin is a complex class of plant polysaccharides, composing galacturonan backbone and neutral sugar side chains. Antitumor modified pectin fragments (MPs) can be prepared by physical and/or chemical modification to decrease its molecular weight, reduce its degrees of esterification, modify its fine structure and improve its bioavailability. It was reported that MPs could inhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosis, sensitize tumor cell to chemotherapy drug, interfere angiogenesis, suppress metastasis and modulate immunological responses. In this review article, we will summarize the antitumor mechanisms, bio-absorption mechanism and structure-activity relationship of MPs. We also analyze the prospects for developing MPs into functional foods.
Key words: galectin-3 (Gal-3); modified pectin (MPs); modified citrus pectin (MCP); pectin; antitumor