Effect of Cynara scolymus and Silybum marianum extracts on bile production in pigs

Abstract

Many of the beneficial effects on productive performance observed when vegetable extracts are incorporated as feed additives in intensive farming can be explained by an increase in bile production. An experiment was conducted to study choleretic and cholagogue effect of a Cynara scolymus extract formulation and of silymarin in pigs. Pigs were cannulated with a T-tube catheter in the bile duct. Bile production was continuously measured and re-infused to the duodenum through Oddi's sphincter at the same production rate. Treatments: Group A (n = 6), commercial feed; Group B (n = 6), C. scolymus extract (300 g/tonne) and Group C (n = 6), silymarin (300 g/tonne). Bile production was recorded hourly for each animal during 24 h. Total bile acids' concentrations in bile, just before and one hour after meals were evaluated. Average daily bile production for pigs in group B was 66% higher than for pigs in groups A or C (P < .05). When bile acids' concentrations before and after meals were compared, only pigs from group B exhibited an increase (P = .0023). From this study, it was concluded that neither choleretic nor cholagogue effects are attained with silymarin supplementation. On the contrary, C. scolymus extract increases bile production and secretion in pigs.

Effect of fosfomycin, Cynara scolymus extract, deoxynivalenol and their combinations on intestinal health of weaned piglets

“…C. scolymus extract treated animals showed a decrease in Enterobacteriaceae and E:L ratio in caecum and colon. It has been recently demonstrated by our research group that using CSE as feed additive substantially increased bile production in pigs (Martínez et al., 2018). Important bile effects on the intestinal microbiota have been described involving 2 main mechanisms: a direct detergent action on bacterial cell membranes (mainly in proximal intestine) and an indirect action by interacting with specific nuclear receptors (FXR, TGR 5, mainly in large intestine) and thus inducing antimicrobial peptides synthesis (Inagaki et al., 2006, D'Aldebert et al., 2009, Burrin et al., 2013, Nie et al., 2015).…”

“…Three hundred grams of CSE were uniformly mixed with 1 t of feed. In this way, each piglet received 15 mg/kg per d. This dose was based on studies in which choleretic and cholagogue effects of CSE in pigs have been demonstrated (Martínez et al., 2018).…”

“…In addition, they have shown further beneficial consequences on intestine and liver functions. C. scolymus extract is obtained from the leaves of the plant and contains caffeolquinic acid derivatives which are known for their choleretic – cholagogue effect in different species (Speroni et al., 2003, Martínez and Uculmana, 2016), including pigs (Martínez et al., 2018). As a consequence, increased bile concentrations at small intestine level enhance fat and lipophilic vitamins absorption.…”

Effect of fosfomycin,Cynara scolymusextract, deoxynivalenol and their combinations on intestinal health of weaned piglets

“…A lower count of Enterobacteriaciae population and E/L in caecum and colon was observed in pigs treated with CSE. It has been recently demonstrated by our research group that using CSE as feed additive substantially increases bile production in pigs (15). Important bile effects on the intestinal microbiota have been described involving two main mechanisms: direct detergent action on bacterial cell membranes (mainly in proximal intestine) and an indirect action by interacting with specific nuclear receptors (FXR, TGR 5, mainly in large intestine) and thus inducing antimicrobial peptides synthesis (10,71–73).…”

“…CSE is used in intensive pig and avian productions. It is obtained from the leaves of the plant and contains caffeolquinic acid derivatives which are known for their choleretic- cholagogue effect in different species (7,13,14), including pigs (15).…”