Modified citrus pectin (MCP) shows potential as a natural cancer suppressant. MCP inhibits cancer progression by suppressing angiogenesis and metastasis. Animal studies show MCP reduced metastasis of prostate cancer cells to the lungs in rats. Human studies found MCP increased prostate-specific antigen doubling time in 80% of men, indicating slower-growing tumors. MCP's proposed anti-cancer mechanisms include inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, inactivating the metastasis-promoting factor galectin-3, and down-regulating transcriptional factors and cell cycle regulators involved in cancer pathogenesis. Future research aims to isolate bioactive pectin components for potential use in cancer drug development.

1. PECTIN: A POTENTIAL SOURCE FOR CANCER
SUPPRESSION
Keerthana S & Janani M
Mentor: Jeba Samuel, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biotechnology, REC, Thandalam
INTRODUCTION
What is Pectin?
Pectin is a branched structured heteropolysaccharide
contained in the primary cell wall of the terrestrial
plants. They occur as a constituent of higher-plant
cell wall embedded in the cellulose fibrils. The
backbone of pectins are linearly arranged 1,4-linked
α-D galactosyluronic acid residues.
MCP?
Pectins are naturally occurring active pharmaceutical
ingredient that exert multifold benefits as a drug.
Their insolubility has decreased their therapeutic
index as its bioavailability is very low. Modified
Citrus Pectin increases the ability of pectin to
biologically interact with biomolecules such as
proteins and lipids.
STUDY AND HYPOTHESIS
“MCP inhibits cancer progression by
suppressing angiogenesis and metastasis of
various cancer types”
Animal Models:
Rats injected with human prostate cancer cells.
A. Control B. C1 C. C2 D. C3
After one month, the metastasis of prostate
cancer cells into lung tissue was analysed
Result: Only 50% of the rats with MCP has any
metastasis. 94% of the rats that drank plain
water had cancer metastasize to their lungs.
Human models:
MCP increases the Prostate Specific
Antigen(PSA) doubling time. PSADT increased
in 80% of men taking MCP for 12 months.
Conclusion: Presence of MCP makes it difficult
for cancer cells to break off from the main
tumor, aggregate and spread to other organs.
CELL APOPTOSIS: Immuno-stimulation
Apoptosis of cells resulting from action of MCP in
• Induction of G2/m cell cycle arrest, caspase-3
activation
• DNA fragmentation
• MAP kinase activation
• Cell proliferation
• NK-cells activation
MOLECULAR INTERACTION
CP & MCP inactivate key transcriptional factors, cell
cycle regulators and cancer metastatic factor galectin-3
Galectin-3: MCP acts as ligand, interacts and
inactivates activity, which is required for cancer
cell to cell adhesion/ aggregation.
Transcriptional factors: MCP binds to TF like Nf-kB
and AP-1 and down-regulates mRNA and protein
expression of iNOS and COX2(Those involved in
pathogenesis of colon cancer)
Cell cycle regulator: MCP down-regulates cyclin B and
cdc2 proteins which results in cell arrest in G2/M phase
leading to apoptosis.
PECTIN AND DETOXIFICATION
Studies claim that pectin can potentially have an
effect in the detoxification of hazardous chemicals
and metals from human body by chelation with
little side effects. It also helps in reducing metal
related inflammation, reducing cholesterol levels,
removing artery plaque, eliminating arthritic pain
and stiffness, eliminating constipation, diarrhea and
regulating blood glucose levels. It increase the
healthy intestinal microflora population including
Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in vitro
MCP AND CHEMOTHERAPY
• MCP targeting galectin-3 increases cancer cell sensitivity
towards chemotherapeutic agents such as
• cisplatin,
• staurosporine,
• etoposide,
• doxorubicin.
• MCP reverses multiple myeloma cell resistance to
bortezomib and enhances apoptosis induced by
dexamethasone.
• American Cancer Society suggests pre-treatment or oral
administration of CP or MCP before chemotherapy for
cancer treatment.
PECTIN AND CANCER
CONCLUSION
The use of natural pectic substances in the medicinal
field is always beneficial because of their minimal side
effects. In this review we primarily focus on pectin, CP,
MCP and cancer treatment. A number of studies show
that CP and MCP have potential anti-carcinogenic effects
and suppress many human cancer cell activities. By
analyzing the molecular mechanisms, it is now clear that
CP and MCP target and inactivate galectin-3, a cancer
cell survival factor, Nf-kβ, a transcription factor involved
in tumorigenesis and many kinases and apoptotic
markers which leads to suppression of numerous human
cancers. Animal studies and human clinical studies show
that CP and MCP play a major role in detoxification of
metals/carcinogens from the body, which could prevent
early stages of human malignancies. Oral injection of
pectin, CP and MCP show a significant inhibition of
tumor growth, cancer cell metastasis, invasion,
angiogenesis and survival. Future studies should be
focused on the isolation of bio-active pectin components
which can be useful in cancer drug development.
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ABBREVIATIONS
CP-Citrus Pectin
MCP- Modified Citrus Pectin
MAPKs- Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases
iNOS-Inducible Nitric Acid Synthase
COX2-Cyclooxygenase2
C1,C2,C3-MCP concentrations (%weight/volume)
NK- Natural Killer cells
NF-κB- Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells
AP1-Activator Protein 1
Fig. 1. Structure of Pectin
Fig.2 Metastasis of cancer
Fig.3. Binding of MCP to galectin-3
Fig.5. Inactivation of Galectin-3
Fig.4. Structure of Galectin-3