Antimicrobial and antivirulence function of cinnamaldehyde against <i>Streptococcus suis</i> type 2

Widespread infections caused by <i>Streptococcus suis</i> type 2 (SS2) have garnered significant attention in the realm of public health due to their zoonotic nature. In recent years, antimicrobial resistance phenotypes in SS2 have emerged and intensified within the context of animal husbandry. Herbal compounds and medicinal plants are increasingly recognized as promising therapeutic alternatives for mitigating or addressing the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this present study was to explore a novel compound of cinnamaldehyde, which obtained significant antimicrobial activity and potential therapeutic protective effect against SS2 infection. The research has made an innovative discovery that the bactericidal effect of cinnamaldehyde is associated with its antivirulence strategies, such as targeting the key virulence factors of SS2 and countering the bacterial infection process.