Abstract

Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are crucial lipid chaperones involved in cellular fatty acid uptake, transport, and metabolism, with altered expression frequently observed in various cancers, including breast cancer. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effects of Juglone and Curcumin, two naturally occurring compounds with established anti-cancer properties, on the expression of FABP5 and FABP9 in two distinct breast cancer cell lines: the estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 and the triple-negative MDA-MB-231. The primary objective was to determine if these phytochemicals modulate FABP expression, thereby influencing lipid signaling pathways critical for tumor cell survival and proliferation. Cells were treated with varying concentrations of Juglone and Curcumin, and FABP5 and FABP9 mRNA and protein levels were subsequently quantified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Preliminary findings suggest that both compounds significantly downregulate FABP5 and FABP9 expression, particularly in the highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 line, indicating a potential mechanism by which these agents exert their anti-proliferative effects. These results highlight the FABP family as a promising molecular target for novel breast cancer therapies and support the further investigation of Juglone and Curcumin as adjuvant agents in oncology.