Commercially pectin
is derived from citrus fruits and apple.
Modified Citrus Pectin
(MCP) is Citrus pectin that has been broken down to less complex molecules
by modifying the pH. MCP is dissolves easily in water and absorbed
much easily in the body.
MCP has been shown to
prevent spontaneous cancer metastasis and inhibit cancer cell proliferation.
The fibroblast growth
factor (FGF) signaling system is ubiquitous and plays major role in developmental
processes in the embryo and homeostasis in the adult.
Studies in our laboratory
and by other investigators suggested that defects in this signal transduction
system disturb the regulatory processes and result in many diseases such
as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus.
Recent research results
from our lab (J. Agric. Food Chem. 2001, 49, 3051-3057) showed that pectin
significantly inhibited the binding of FGF-1 to FGFR1 in the presence of
0.1 microgram/mL heparin.
The pectin from the
segment membrane of lemon was the most potent inhibitor. The inhibition
activity was significantly correlated with sugar content, MC, and size
of pectin.
Kinetic studies revealed
a competitive nature of pectin inhibition with the heparin, a crucial component
of the FGF-signal transduction process.
The observation that
the heparin dependent biological activity of FGF-signal transduction is
antagonized by citrus pectin should be further investigated for the use
of these pectin as anti-growth factor agents for potential health benefits.
Citrus
Pectin 