As our understanding of the role of galectins in cancer and fibrosis has improved, various chemical and biological agents that target GAL1, GAL3 and GAL9 have been developed. These agents include small-molecule chemical inhibitors, natural polysaccharides and their synthetic derivatives, peptides and peptidomimetics, and biological agents such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), aptamers, truncated galectins and neutralizing mAbs. In the next section, we describe both the advances and the difficulties in the development and clinical evaluation of current galectin-targeted agents. Small-molecule carbohydrate inhibitors

Research in cancer: With powerful antiadhesive, apoptosis-promoting properties, this researched MCP is shown in more than 15 published studies, including three clinical studies, to target numerous rate-limiting steps in cancer, primarily via its ability to inhibit Gal-3. 10–12 N. Tehranian, et al., “Combination Effect of PectaSol and Doxorubicin on Viability, Cell Cycle Arrest and Ppoptosis in DU-145 and LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cell Lines,” Cell Biol. Int. 36(7), 601–610 (2012).What’s more, MCP also lowered the rate of acute kidney injury, which went from 89% in the control group to 44% in both groups taking the modified pectin [ 14]. Improving Cognition But there are some differences between these natural pectins and the MCP variety. Our intestines can’t absorb pectin directly from fruits. But the modified version has shorter carbohydrate chains and a lower molecular weight [ 1], allowing it to be absorbed into the bloodstream where it can then potentially exert benefits. Benefits of Modified Citrus Pectin

Plant-derived polysaccharides have also been proposed as therapeutics for liver, kidney and lung fibrosis, mainly via mechanisms that involve inhibition of GAL3 (refs. 142, 146). Inhibition of GAL3 with belapectin ( 18, Fig. 4) and Davanat ( 19, Fig. 4) was first evaluated in a toxin-induced model of liver fibrosis 232. Intraperitoneal administration of these polysaccharides resulted in decreased collagen content, attenuated liver fibrosis, diminished cirrhosis and a reduced percentage of GAL3-expressing macrophages 232. These two inhibitors were also tested in a murine model of NASH 233. Intravenous administration of belapectin resulted in a substantial reduction in collagen deposition, hepatocellular damage, NASH activity and fibrosis In a 2011 study, MCP was shown to be a potent immune system booster. It had a powerful effect boosting B-lymphocytes, and also the cytoxic effects of T-lymphocytes and Natural Killer (NK) cells against cancer. MCP actually produced a dramatic 10-fold increase in NK cell activity (7) . Complex polysaccharides derived from natural sources such as pectins and galactomannans, pH- and heat-modified pectins (for example, MCPs), and galactomannan-derived compounds have shown antitumoural, antimetastatic and anti-inflammatory activities 138, 211, 212, 213, 214.These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.