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

<b>Objective:</b> 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. <b>Methods:</b> BC 4T1 cells were treated with low (3.13 &#181;g/mL) and high (12.5 &#181;g/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 Fe^2&#43; 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, Fe^2&#43;, EMT markers, and ferroptosis-related GPX4 were evaluated in tumor tissues. <b>Results:</b> 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 Fe^2&#43; levels (<i>P</i> &#60; 0.05). In vivo, SLBZP and CTX significantly reduced tumor burden and lung metastases, elevated MDA, Fe^2&#43;, and E-cadherin, and decreased N-cadherin, Vimentin, and GPX4 in tumor tissues (<i>P</i> &#60; 0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> SLBZP inhibits BC lung metastasis by modulating EMT and ferroptosis, highlighting its therapeutic potential.