Shenling Baizhu Powder Inhibits Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer via Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Ferroptosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to probe the role of Shenling Baizhu powder (SLBZP) in inhibiting breast cancer (BC) lung metastasis, focusing on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ferroptosis.

METHODS

BC 4T1 cells were treated with low (3.13 µg/mL) and high (12.5 µg/mL) doses of SLBZP. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed via CCK-8 and transwell assays. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Fe2+ levels were measured using commercial kits. Western blot was used to detect EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin). In vivo, Balb/c mice injected with 4T1 cells received SLBZP or cyclophosphamide (CTX). Tumor volume, mass, and lung metastases were recorded. MDA, Fe2+, EMT markers, and ferroptosis-related GPX4 were evaluated in tumor tissues.

RESULTS

SLBZP dose-dependently suppressed 4T1 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT, as indicated by upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated N-cadherin and Vimentin. SLBZP increased cellular ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels (P < 0.05). In vivo, SLBZP and CTX significantly reduced tumor burden and lung metastases, elevated MDA, Fe2+, and E-cadherin, and decreased N-cadherin, Vimentin, and GPX4 in tumor tissues (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SLBZP inhibits BC lung metastasis by modulating EMT and ferroptosis, highlighting its therapeutic potential.