Herbal Extract Mixture Modulates Intestinal Antioxidative Capacity and Microbiota in Weaning Piglets

Abstract

Recently, herbal extracts have been applied in multiple aspects, such as medicine and animal feed. Different compositions of herbal extract mixture (HEM) have various components and diverse functions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HEM (Lonicera japonica, Astragalus membranaceus, Eucommia folium, and Codonopsis pilosula) on intestinal antioxidant capacity and colonic microbiota in weaned pigs. A total of 18 piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] with the initial body weight of 5.99 ± 0.13 kg (weaned at 21 days) were randomly divided into two groups (n = 9): the control group (CON, basal diet) and the HEM treatment group (HEM, 1,000 mg/kg HEM + basal diet). The experiment period lasted for 14 days. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with HEM modulated the antioxidant capacity through decreasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the ileum and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in the serum, and decreasing the mRNA expression of Kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in the jejunum and the protein level of Keap1 in the ileum. Moreover, the HEM group modified the composition of colonic microbiota with affecting relative abundances of the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. Taken together, supplementation of HEM can regulate the antioxidant capacity and modify the composition of colonic bacteria in weaning piglets. This study provides new insights into the combination effects of herbal extracts on weaning piglets.

Evaluation of the Enzymatic Production and Prebiotic Activity of Galactomannan Oligosaccharides Derived from Gleditsia microphylla

“…It has been reported that a negative correlation exists between the pH and SCFA concentration [27]. During fermentation, the OD 600 value of the control group was the lowest, and the intestinal bacteria consumed SCFAs, [28] causing the SCFA concentration in the GM and GMOS groups to be lower than that of the control group. Nevertheless, it was found that the GMOS was better in promoting the production of SCFAs, therefore, the reduction in polymerization did provide a beneficial effect on the prebiotic activity of GMOS.…”

“…It has been reported that a negative correlation exists between the pH and SCFA concentration [27]. During fermentation, the OD600 value of the control group was the lowest, and the intestinal bacteria consumed SCFAs, [28] causing the SCFA concentration in the GM and GMOS groups to be lower…”

Gut Health and Influencing Factors in Pigs

“…Furthermore, numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of plant extracts such as herbal extracts [ 207 , 208 ], essential oils, and organic acids on gut microbiota and on preventing diarrhea [ 148 , 209 , 210 ]. These feed additives are being recognized because they decrease the prevalence of pathogenic microbes in the cecum of weaned piglets.…”

“…The antimicrobial blend significantly decreased the occurrence of severe diarrhea in the weaned piglets and increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria while discouraging the pathogenic bacteria in the cecum [ 210 , 214 ]. Different dietary combinations of organic acids and fatty acids [ 215 ], plant extract and benzoic acid [ 216 ], or herbal mixtures [ 207 , 208 ] have been further tested and showed a positive effect in changing the large intestine microbiota, which could finally treat diarrhea in the weaned piglets.…”

Effects of dietary Astragalus membranaceus and Codonopsis pilosula extracts on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune status, and intestinal health in broilers

“…Recently, researchers found that the combination of CPO and AMT could re-establish the immune balance of the intestinal flora and alleviate colonic mucosal injury in mice with colitis ( 16 ). Synergistic extracts of AMT and CPO showed antioxidant activity in weaned piglets and influenced the relative proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the gastrointestinal tract ( 17 ). However, to the best of our knowledge, the combined effects of AMT and CPO extracts in broiler chickens have not yet been thoroughly studied.…”