Antiviral Effect of Different Essential Oils on Avian Coronavirus.

Plant essential oils (EOs) possess established antimicrobial properties; however, research on their antiviral activity, particularly against avian coronaviruses, remains limited. EOs offer a promising plant-based alternative for viral control, especially in scenarios where conventional chemical use is restricted. This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral effects of six different essential oils derived from , , , , , and against avian coronavirus (AvCov) at 0.1% and 1% dilutions. The antiviral effects of the EOs were assessed via virus isolation from embryonated chicken eggs, and the ability of the EOs to inhibit AvCoV replication was evaluated. The EOs from , , , and completely inhibited AvCov replication at a 1% dilution. Conversely, absent to partial inhibitory effect was observed at the 0.1% dilution for all tested EOs, with derived EO exhibiting the greatest inhibitory effect (over 70%). Notably, EOs from and were unable to completely inhibit AvCov at either concentration. Our findings highlight the potent antiviral activity of the EOs from , , , and against AvCov at a 1% dilution. The complete inhibition observed for these EOs suggests their potential for AvCov control. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of action, optimize formulations, and evaluate the efficacy against other coronaviruses, including those relevant to human health.