Effect of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, on caveolin-1 levels in breast cancer cell line MCF-7

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women, and early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates. The severe side effects associated with conventional cytotoxic treatments have emphasized the need for targeted therapies in combination with natural compounds. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus, exhibits anticancer activity and inhibits proliferation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells; however, its effects on the regulation of caveolin-1, a membrane protein involved in breast cancer progression, remain largely unexplored. In the current study, the anticancer effects of fucoidan in MCF-7 cells were investigated by evaluating cytotoxicity, membrane integrity, colony formation, migration, and caveolin-1 expression using established in vitro assays. Both fucoidan and the chemotherapeutic agent tamoxifen demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxic effects, with fucoidan showing higher potency in reducing colony formation. Both compounds also inhibited cell migration and significantly downregulated caveolin-1 expression, suggesting a potential role in modulating tumor progression. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of fucoidan as a natural anticancer agent, although further studies are needed to clarify its mechanisms and in vivo efficacy.