Mitigation of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by jiegan tea: In vitro and in vivo toxicological insights

Bleomycin (BLM), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, is associated with severe pulmonary toxicity, which can lead to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The progressive nature of BLM-induced PF, coupled with the lack of effective preventive strategies, presents a major clinical challenge. Jiegan tea (JGT), a traditional herbal remedy derived from <i>Platycodon grandiflorus</i> (Jacq.) A. DC and <i>Glycyrrhiza uralensis</i> Fisch, has been proposed to offer protective effects against respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the potential of JGT in mitigating BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo experiments demonstrate that JGT significantly reduces BLM-induced lung damage by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Further mechanistic investigations reveal that JGT interacts with β-catenin, enhancing its stability, as confirmed by cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA). This stabilization of β-catenin prevents its nuclear translocation and subsequent accumulation, thereby suppressing the EMT process and mitigating fibrosis progression. These findings suggest that JGT holds promise as a natural preventive agent against BLM-induced pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis.