The structure elucidation of novel arabinogalactan LRP1-S2 against pancreatic cancer cells growth in vitro and in vivo

Abstract The fruit of Lycium ruthenicum Murr is used as traditional medicine and functional food. Previously we reported that one RG-I pectin from this fruit might inhibit pancreatic cancer cells growth. We further hypothesized that there might be other type of polysaccharides in this fruit also have anti-tumor effect. Here, we showed novel structure of a homogeneous polysaccharide named LRP1-S2 from this fruit and its anti-pancreatic cancer effect. Structure analyses suggested that LRP1-S2 was a novel arabinogalactan with the molecular weight (Mw) of 17.0 kDa. Bioactivity test showed that LRP1-S2 might attenuate the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo without significant cytotoxicity to normal pancreatic HPDE6-C7 cells and LO2 liver cells. Mechanism study indicated that it might induce apoptosis of BxPC-3 by inactivating P38 MAPK/NF-κB and GSK-3β/β-Catenin signaling pathways. These results suggested that LRP1-S2 could be a potential anti-tumor leading compound for functional food and new drug development. Chemical compounds arabinogalactan, pectin, galactan, arabinan, RN-1, HH1-1, LRP1-S2, LRP3-S1.