The full name of small molecule pectin is low molecular citrus pectin. It is a polysaccharide with galactose as the main component extracted from natural pectin products and has certain effects.

Small molecule pectin has good anti-cancer activity. Studies have found that small molecule citrus pectin has a competitive inhibitory effect on galectin-3 ligand in vivo. It has obvious sequence similarity with Bcl-2, and both carboxyl terminals contain NWGR motifs, which are necessary for Bcl-2 to inhibit apoptosis. Bcl-2 inhibits apoptotic oncogenes and acts on endogenous apoptotic signaling pathways.

The results show that small molecule pectin has a strong inhibitory effect on PC3 prostate cancer cells, with an inhibition rate of 38% at medium dose (2.5 mg/mL) and 38% at high dose (5-10 mg/mL). The inhibition rate is 80% to 90%.

After small molecules of pectin are absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract, they form a gel filtration system in the intestine, changing the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as monosaccharides and disaccharides. At the same time, an isolation layer is formed on the surface of the small intestinal mucosa, blocking the intestinal absorption of glucose and expelling excess glucose from the body.

At the same time, small molecule pectin can reduce the secretion of the gastrointestinal hormone "gastric inhibitory peptide", thereby reducing the glucose absorption rate. Small molecule citrus pectin (MCP) opens up a new avenue for pharmaceutical and dietary treatment of diabetes. It has a certain protective effect on hyperlipidemia caused by hyperglycemia.

Small molecule citrus pectin has good water solubility. The human body can not only form a protective film on the surface of the gastrointestinal tract to prevent the absorption of alcohol and protect the gastrointestinal tract, but also activate the activity of alcohol enzyme to promote the absorption of alcohol. Carbon dioxide and water play a dual anti-alcohol role in preventing alcohol absorption and promoting alcohol decomposition.

Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Small molecule pectin