Pectin is a heteropolysaccharide consisted of α-1, 4-D-galactouronic acid with different neutral sugar residues which was linked by at least 22 glycosidic bonds. Compared with polysaccharides such as cellulose, sodium alginate and chitosan, the unique physiological activities of pectin including anti-tumor, regulating blood pressure, blood lipids and blood pressure provide the potential in drug sustained release carriers. However, the pectin generally present low molecular weight, and consist of abundant hydroxyl and carboxyl groups induced well water solubility of pectin, resulting in its poor release performance. Even so, coordination, nucleophilic addition and elimination reaction can occur on the sites of hydroxyl, carboxyl and amide functional group, which significantly influence its hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, and molecular weight. Thus, the basic research of pectin-based drug delivery carrier is gradually expanded and show great potential. In this paper, the physicochemical properties of pectin and preparation of drug control-released carrier were reviewed and summarized. It can be divided into modification methods, pectin-based prodrug, hybrid materials, composite materials, and Pickering emulsion. Finally, the main problems and future in these areas are expected.