Eugenol Alleviates TGEV-Induced Intestinal Injury via Suppressing ROS/NLRP3/GSDMD-Dependent Pyroptosis

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), a coronavirus, is one of the main causative agents of diarrhea in piglets and significantly impacts the global swine industry. Pyroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of coronavirus, but its role in TGEV-induced intestinal injury has yet to be fully elucidated. Eugenol, an essential plant oil, plays a vital role in Antiviral innate immune responses. We demonstrate the preventive effect of eugenol on TGEV Infection. Eugenol alleviates TGEV-induced intestinal epithelial cell Pyroptosis and reduces intestinal injury in TGEV-infected piglets. Mechanistically, eugenol reduces the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby inhibiting TGEV-induced intestinal epithelial cell Pyroptosis. In addition, eugenol scavenges TGEV-induced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) increase, which in turn prevents TGEV-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Pyroptosis. Overall, eugenol protects the intestine by reducing TGEV-induced Pyroptosis through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which may be mediated through intracellular ROS levels. These findings propose that eugenol may be an effective strategy to prevent TGEV Infection.