Research Article Open Access

Plant Pectin: A Potential Source for Cancer Suppression

Suryakant K. Niture1 and Lubna Refai1
  • 1 University of Maryland School of Medicine, United States

Abstract

Pectin is a branched polysaccharide present widely in a variety of fruits. It has been of high interest to cancer biologists due to its involvement in metal/carcinogen detoxification and its anti-carcinogenic properties. In particular, Citrus Pectin (CP) and Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) have been shown to have a significant inhibitory role in cancer cell metastasis, invasion, angiogenesis and survival. The interactions and inactivation of oncogenes by CP and MCP in prostate, breast, liver, lung, melanoma and multiple myeloma cancers suggest that CP and MCP could play an important role in cancer chemotherapy and chemoprevention. In this review, we focus on the biological function of pectin with respect to its properties, sources, structure and its potential role in carcinogen detoxification and cancer suppression.

American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Volume 8 No. 1, 2013, 9-19

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2013.9.19

Submitted On: 4 January 2013 Published On: 18 April 2013

How to Cite: Niture, S. K. & Refai, L. (2013). Plant Pectin: A Potential Source for Cancer Suppression. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 8(1), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2013.9.19

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Keywords

  • Citrus Pectin
  • Modified Citrus Pectin
  • Cancer Prevention