Eugenol mitigates Trichinella spiralis-induced tissue damage via integrated antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions.

Trichinella spiralis infection causes marked multi-organ damage driven by inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. This study evaluated the protective effects of eugenol against T. spiralis-induced pathological alterations using an integrated parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular approach. Infection significantly increased intestinal worm burden, muscle larval encystment, serum biochemical markers (CK, LDH, ALT, and AST), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-3, and IL-6), and oxidative stress markers, and induced severe histopathological damage in the intestine, skeletal muscle, heart, lung, and spleen. Eugenol treatment significantly reduced parasite burden in a dose-dependent manner, with adult worm counts decreasing from 125.4 ± 8.7 worms/rat in the infected untreated group to 72.6 ± 6.3 and 38.2 ± 5.1 worms/rat in the 15 and 30 mg/kg treated groups, respectively, corresponding to reductions of 42.1% and 69.5%. Eugenol also significantly attenuated infection-induced elevations in biochemical and inflammatory markers, reduced malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels, and improved total antioxidant capacity and total nitrite. Histopathological examination showed marked preservation of tissue architecture and evidence of tissue recovery, particularly at the higher dose. Molecular docking provided supportive in silico evidence that eugenol may interact with key inflammatory mediators, including IL-3, IL-6, and TNF. Overall, eugenol showed protective antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, highlighting its potential as a promising natural candidate for trichinellosis management.