Antiproliferative potential of Artemisia capillaris polysaccharide against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

► One polysaccharide (WACP) is purified from the Artemisia capillaris. ► WACP exhibits anti-proliferation activity on CNE-2 cells by inducing apoptosis. ► Mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release result in caspase-3/9 activation. ► Mitochondria-mediated pathway involves in apoptosis induced by WACP.