Abstract: To observe the therapeutic effect of low-molecular-weight citrus pectin (LCP) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to explore its mechanism in vitro and in vivo.Viability of NSCLC PC-9 cell treated with LCP for 72h was measured by MTS assay,and cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometric analysis.The inhibitory effect of LCP on tumor growth was observed by xenograft model of PC-9 cells.The expression level of Ki67 was detected by immunohistochemistry and the apoptosis of tumor cells was detected by TUNEL assay.LCP (1.5-3 mg/mL) can inhibit the proliferation of PC-9 cells,and the apoptotic rate was significantly higher than that of the control group in vitro.LCP (56.25 mg/kg) can inhibit the tumor growth of NSCLC,and tumor cells apoptosis rate were significantly increased in vivo.LCP can significantly inhibit tumor growth of NSCLC,which may be related to the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis.

Key words: low-molecular-weight citrus pectin, non-small cell lung cancer, cell apoptosis