Targeting Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence and viability with epimedokoreanin B prevents alveolar bone destruction in vivo.

Periodontal disease is a major oral infectious condition that leads to the degradation of alveolar bone and subsequent tooth loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone pathogen in periodontitis, plays a critical role in disease initiation and progression. In a previous study, we demonstrated the anti-P. gingivalis activity of epimedokoreanin B, a prenylated flavonoid derived from Epimedium species. However, its in vivo efficacy against periodontitis remains unclear. Oral administration of epimedokoreanin B attenuated P. gingivalis-induced alveolar bone resorption in murine periodontitis models and suppressed infection-induced antibody production. Furthermore, epimedokoreanin B compromised bacterial membrane integrity and virulent gene expressions. In this preclinical study, in vitro and in vivo analyses indicate that epimedokoreanin B suppressed both bacterial viability and virulence, thereby attenuating alveolar bone loss caused by periodontitis. These findings suggest that epimedokoreanin B is a promising candidate for the development of novel therapeutics targeting periodontal pathogens.