Effects of Chinese wolfberry and Astragalus extract on the antioxidant capacity of Tibetan pig liver

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Chinese wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) and Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) extract (WAE) on the antioxidant capacity of Tibetan pig liver, and discussed the regulatory effect of WAE on the liver antioxidant mechanism. Twelve healthy 120-day-old Tibetan black pigs (35±2 kg) were divided randomly into two groups. The WAE group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 1% WAE for 90 days. The control group was fed the same diet, but without the WAE. We found that liver superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) activity (P<0.05), total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) (P<0.05), and catalase (CAT) activity (P<0.01) significantly increased in the WAE group compared with the control group; malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased, but this was not significant (P >0.05). Transcriptome sequencing analysis detected 106 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to oxidative stress. GO enrichment analysis showed these DEGs were involved in the positive regulation of reactive oxygen metabolism and biosynthesis, process regulation, and regulation of the oxidative stress response. KEGG Pathway enrichment analysis showed they were enriched in the PI3K-Akt, AMPK, Rap1, and peroxisome signaling pathways. The expression levels of key peroxisome biosynthesis genes (e.g., PEX3 and PEX11B) and key antioxidant genes (e.g., CAT and SOD1) were significantly higher in the WAE group than in the control group. The PRDX1 and PRDX5 content also was significantly higher in the WAE group. This study showed that the WAE regulated the antioxidant and anti-stress ability of Tibetan pig liver through a “peroxisome antioxidant-oxidant stress” signaling pathway.

Low‐molecular weight oligosaccharides from gum tragacanth (Astragalus gossypinus) ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Wistar male rats

“…Gum tragacanth ( Astragalus gossypinus ) is a polysaccharide extracted from the A. gossypinus stem. The gum tragacanth is a source of several active components such as glycosides, alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, trace minerals, saponins, and sugars (Hao et al, 2021 ). The beneficial effects of Astragalus root ( Radix astragali ) polysaccharides on liver protection, neuroprotection, oxidative stress, immunity, and inflammation have been confirmed (Jiang et al, 2010 ; Tiippana et al, 2016 ).…”

Effects of dietary Chinese yam polysaccharide copper complex on growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of broilers

“…SOD 1 and SOD 2 , such as Cu–Zn SOD and Mn SOD, are located in the cytoplasm and mitochondria ( 35 , 36 ). Chinese wolfberry and Astragalus extract (1%) notably improved the activities of SOD 1 , T-AOC, and CAT, and decreased MDA in Tibetan pig livers, and promoted the expression levels of hepatic antioxidant genes (e.g., CAT and SOD 1 ); this indicates that the extracts mechanism of regulating antioxidation is the signaling pathway of peroxisome antioxidant-oxidant stress in Tibetan pig livers ( 37 ). Another study investigated the effect of a plateau condition on oxidation in Tibetan pigs and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) pigs, and found that Tibetan pigs exhibited higher SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC levels, but lower MDA levels in the liver and heart.…”

Pharmacological Applications and Action Mechanisms of Phytochemicals as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Pig Production

“…It is shown that SBE supplementation can potently attenuate diarrhea in weaning piglets and decrease inflammatory cytokine expression through inhibiting the NF-κB and P38 signaling pathways ( 123 ). Additionally, KEGG Pathway enrichment analysis by RNA sequencing shows that PI3K-Akt, AMPK, Rap1, and peroxisome signaling pathways are enriched in Tibetan pig liver after Chinese wolfberry ( Lycium barbarum ) and Astragalus ( Astragalus membranaceus ) extract treatment, and the plant extracts exert antioxidant and anti-stress ability ( 178 ). In vitro , OEO induces SOD1 and GSH expression through Nrf2 activation and alleviates hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in IPEC-J2 Cells ( 179 ).…”