“Targeting Porphyromonas gingivalis in Oral and Esophageal Cancer: A Bioinformatic and Medicinal Plant-Based Approach”

Abstract

Oral cancer remains a significant global health challenge, ranking as the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with over 90% of cases being oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium and key pathogen in periodontitis, contributes to cancer development by evading immune responses, inducing chronic inflammation, and promoting apoptosis of gingival epithelial cells. It has also been linked to systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal cancers. This study aimed to identify common proteins dysregulated by P. gingivalis infection in oral and esophageal cancers, to explore the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and essential gene mechanisms in P. gingivalis, and to target antibiotic-resistant hub genes using medicinal plant-based drug discovery approaches.

Using in silico methods, AMR and essential genes were identified from P. gingivalis strains W83 and ATCC 33277. Pathway enrichment and protein-protein interaction analyses highlighted these genes' relevance in cancer progression.OSCC & ESCC datasets were analyzed against P. gingivalis. Finally, molecular docking was conducted & Rutin demonstrated the strongest binding affinity, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic lead. This integrative bioinformatic and natural compound-based approach offers promising avenues for targeting P. gingivalis-driven cancers and overcoming its antibiotic resistance.