A study on the toxic mechanisms of tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene, and ethoxyquin in endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer based on network toxicology and molecular docking technology

Using network toxicology and molecular docking, we systematically explain how the food additives TBHQ, BHT and EQ cause harmful effects in endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancers. We focus on the key molecular steps, core targets and signaling pathways involved. ProTox-3.0 predicted toxicity; GeneCards/OMIM extracted disease targets; GO/KEGG enrichment, PPI network, and molecular docking analyzed core targets and pathways. mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory networks and pan-cancer gene expression were further explored. TBHQ/BHT/EQ showed potential carcinogenic risks (Activity Scores: 0.77/0.96/0.79). Core targets included IL6, PTGS2, ESR1, and HSP90AA1, involving cancer, cAMP, and calcium signaling pathways. Molecular docking predicted moderate binding affinities (e.g., EQ-HSP90AA1: − 5.76 kcal/mol). TBHQ/BHT/EQ may exert toxic effects on gynecological cancers via specific targets and pathways, providing support for food additive safety assessment.