Effects of Activated Charcoal-Herb Extractum Complex on Antioxidant Status, Lipid Metabolites and Safety of Excess Supplementation in Weaned Piglets

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of activated charcoal-herb extractum complex (CHC) on antioxidant status, serum lipid metabolites and its safety supplement in weaning piglets. In experiment 1, a total of 216 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) weaned at 28 days of age with initial body weight of 8.55 ± 1.18 kg were assigned randomly to six treatment groups. each treatment group had six pens, with six pigs per pen. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000 mg kg−1 of CHC over two 14-d periods. Diets supplemented with 0 and 1000 mg kg−1 of montmorillonite (MMT) were set as the negative and positive controls, respectively. In experiment 2, pigs (n = 108) weaned at 28 days of age with initial body weight of 8.58 ± 0.04 kg were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Each treatment group had six pens, with six pigs per pen. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 1000 or 10,000 mg kg−1 of CHC over two 14-d periods. In experiment 1, on day 14, supplementation with CHC significantly decreased very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentration while they decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration on d 28, CHC at 500, 1000 or 1500 mg kg−1 significantly increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration. Supplementation with 500 or 1000 mg kg−1 CHC reduced serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration during the entire experimental period and increased the concentration of serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) on d 14. CHC at 500 or 1000 mg kg−1 significantly reduced the liver MDA concentration and increased liver T-SOD concentration. In experiment 2, increased ADG was obvious during the first 14 days and the whole period in 1000 mg kg−1 supplemented pigs, similarly F: G was lowest in the first 14 days. There was no difference in growth performance, visceral index, haematological and serum biochemical parameters and visceral organs morphology between pigs fed 10,000 mg kg−1 of CHC and control. Together, 500 to 1000 mg kg−1 CHC was confirmed to improve antioxidant status, and serum lipid metabolites in this study and excess supplementation of CHC is safe in weaning piglets.

Sorption of phenols and flavonoids on activated charcoal improves protein metabolism, antioxidant status, immunity, and intestinal morphology in broilers

“…The present study on broilers confirmed the finding that supplementing feed with PFAC could induce a positive effect on cholesterol production compared to CON ( 31 ), but not with AC. Although the serum biochemistry differed among the treatments, the values were all within the normal reference range for broilers ( 54 , 55 ).…”

“…In our previous studies, herbal extract was coupled with activated charcoal to form a charcoal-herb complex for feeding piglets and broilers. We found that the charcoal-herb complex promoted growth performance, enhanced body immunity, reduced inflammation, and improved antioxidant status (29)(30)(31)(32). Four types of Chinese medicine were used according to their specific functions reported in the scientific literature (42)(43)(44)(45).…”

“…One of our previous studies found that the sorption of Chinese herb extracts into activated charcoal promoted growth, reduced inflammation, improved antioxidant status, and modulated the intestinal microbiota ( 29 – 31 ). The effective dose of activated charcoal with Chinese herb extract was about one-tenth of the effective dose of activated charcoal without sorption ( 29 – 31 ). The explanation was the possible interaction between activated charcoal and the organic substances in Chinese herb extracts ( 28 ).…”

Pre-treatment with galectin-1 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced myocarditis by regulating the Nrf2 pathway

“…MDA is a suitable marker to reflect the damage degree of free radicals to the organism, and SOD is essential for the improvement of general redox and maintenance of intracellular homeostasis. 21 As expected, the serum MDA concentration was obviously suppressed and the SOD activity was elevated by Gal-1 pre-treatment in myocarditis mice. Consistently, pre-treatment with Gal-1 decreased the fluorescence intensity of ROS in vitro .…”