A polysaccharide fraction of adlay seed (Coixlachryma-jobi L.) induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells

► A polysaccharide from adlay seed, its molecular mass, optical rotation and sugars was determined. ► We demonstrated that a polysaccharide from adlay can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. ► The polysaccharide inhibited the metabolism and proliferation of NSCLC A549 cells. ► The polysaccharide may trigger apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway.