Mitigation of P. gingivalis-exacerbated intestinal inflammation by paeoniflorin through alteration of the gut microbiota

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a well-known periodontal pathogen that has also been linked to systemic diseases. In this study, our results revealed that P. gingivalis exacerbated inflammation, as indicated by weight loss, decreased colon length, and increased colonic tissue inflammation. Furthermore, P. gingivalis increased the population of Th17 cells in the spleen and upregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice. Additionally, P. gingivalis aggravated the gut microbiota dysbiosis by reducing the beneficial bacteria like S24-7. In addition, we discovered that paeoniflorin, a widely recognized biologically active phytochemical, had the potential to mitigate the exacerbated inflammation caused by P. gingivalis. Specifically, paeoniflorin treatment rebalanced immune cell populations, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, and reshaped the composition of the gut microbiota. In summary, our findings suggest that paeoniflorin holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for alleviating the inflammatory effects induced by P. gingivalis.