The effects of supplementing diets with <i>Atractylodes macrocephala</i> Koidz rhizomes on growth performance and immune function in piglets

Abstract

The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (baizhu in Chinese, AMK) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used as a digestive and tonic. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of baizhu powder on the growth performance and immune function of piglets. Duroc × Landrace×Yorkshire piglets (n=72, half males and half females, 42 days of age, liveweight 14.82±0.17 kg) were randomly allocated to three treatments: control, control+AMK either ground (GMD=180 μm), or micronized (GMD=5.59 μm), for 30 days. The results showed that supplementation with micronized baizhu significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) (P<0.05) and decreased (P<0.05) the feed/gain and diarrhoea ratios compared with the control group. Pigs given 80 mesh baizhu had a lower (P<0.05) diarrhoea ratio than those fed the control diet. Supplementation with 80 mesh baizhu and micronized baizhu significantly increased (P<0.05) both concanavalin-(ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced splenocyte and peripheral lymphocyte proliferation, serum IgG, IL-1, and IL-2 concentrations (P<0.05) compared with the control group. In addition, supplementation with micronized baizhu significantly enhanced (P<0.05) PR-39 mRNA expression compared with the control group. The results indicate that baizhu could ameliorate metabolic status and regulate immune function to improve the growth performance of piglets, and that super-fine comminution may improve its medicinal efficiency.

Effects of a traditional Chinese medicine formula containing the Coix seed and Lotus seed on the intestinal morphology and microbiota of local piglets

“…TCM formulations as dietary supplements have positive effects on the growth performance of piglets: previous reports have demonstrated that dietary supplementation with the TCM herbs can increase average daily feed intake and ADG, improve the gain/feed ratio, and reduce the incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets (Chen et al, 2007;Lin et al, 2013;Xu et al, 2012;Zhao et al, 2015;Jian et al, 2007). Here, our results suggest that the LMT group manifested a significant increase in ADG, and the FCR tended to diminish in these piglets as compared to that in the LC group, in agreement with previous research (Lai et al, 2015;Gui et al, 2007).…”

Sesquiterpene Lactams and Lactones With Antioxidant Potentials From Atractylodes macrocephala Discovered by Molecular Networking Strategy

“…Nowadays, Baizhu is allowed to be developed and applied as a functional food by the National Health Commission, People's Republic of China ( 3 ). Scholarly research has shown that AM rhizome possesses a variety of biological activities, such as improving gastrointestinal ( 4 ), immunomodulatory ( 5 ), anti-Alzheimer's ( 6 ), anti-inflammatory ( 7 ), and anti-tumor activities ( 8 ). To date, about 230 members have been reported in AM rhizome, of which terpenoids and their glycosides are the main active ingredients ( 9 ).…”

Progress in Immunoassays of Toxic Alkaloids in Plant-Derived Medicines: A Review

“…They are classified as complementary and alternative medicines and are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia and the Dietary Health and Supplement Education Act under the Food and Drug Administration in the USA [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. As feed additives, plant-derived medicines play an important role in promoting growth, anti-inflammatory, increasing immunity, and other functions [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”