Effects of treatment on intestinal cancer cells with pectins isolated from chayote, papaya and passion fruit

• Grant number: 18/12603-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Joao Paulo Fabi
• Grantee: Isis Azeka Indig
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/23970-2 - Biological changes of papaya pectins with possible benefits to human health, AP.JP

Abstract

Several chronic noncommunicable diseases are becoming commonplace because of a contemporary diet that is poor in fruits and vegetables. Intake of dietary fiber from these foods may be one of the main compounds responsible for inhibiting the onset of those diseases. Pectins are classified as soluble dietary fibers and are complex structural polysaccharides found in various plant tissues that may exert beneficial effects when ingested regularly. Recent studies demonstrated that both native and chemically modified pectin exhibit antitumor activity in in vitro models. This feature is achieved because portions of the pectin bind to the pro-metastatic galectin-3 protein in cancer cells. Such binding and the consequent inhibition of galectin-3 reduces the ability of cancer cells to communicate biochemically leading to a decrease in proliferation. Due to these new functions attributed to fruit pectins, the current study aims to analyze and compare the biological effects of modified pectins of chayote, papaya and passion fruit in the treatment of human colorectal cancer cells.