Effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbial shedding, immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs

Abstract

A 12-week trial with 120 [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] pigs (45.65 ± 1.93 kg) was conducted to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture (HM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbial shedding, immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs. Pigs were allocated to one of three treatments with 0, 0.025% (HM1) and 0.05% (HM2) HM supplementation in a randomized complete block design according to sex and BW. Each treatment contained 10 replications with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Dietary HM resulted in a higher G:F (p < 0.05) than CON group during weeks 7 to 12 and the overall periods. Pigs fed HM2 diet had higher ADG than pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed HM2 supplementation diet led to a higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) than pigs fed CON diet at week 6, while the supplementation of HM led to a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than pigs fed CON diet at week 12. The faecal E. coli counts were reduced, and Lactobacillus counts were increased by increasing HM supplementation (p < 0.05). Pigs fed HM1 diet had higher (p < 0.05) WBC concentration than those fed CON and HM2 diets at week 6. Pigs fed HM-supplemented diet had higher (p < 0.05) IgG and IgA concentrations than those fed CON diet at week 12. Pigs fed HM diet noted better (p < 0.05) meat colour and redness value than pigs fed CON diet. Pig fed HM2 reduced (p < 0.05) the lightness value compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary HM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial balance (increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), immune response and meat quality.

RETRACTED: Astragalus polysaccharide alleviates LPS-induced inflammation injury by regulating miR-127 in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts

“…7 Astragalus membranaceus , a commonly used Chinese medicinal plant, contains polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and other components to promote antibody production and immune response. 8 Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is one of the components derived from Astragalus membranaceus . It has been reported to exert anti-tumor immune response and confer sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy with fewer side effects.…”

Effects of dietary supplementation of natural and fermented herbs on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, meat quality and fatty acid composition in growing-finishing pigs

“…The increased phenols content in fermented herbs may help to explain the increased serum T-AOC activities and reduced MDA in pigs fed diet supplemented with fermented herbs. Lan et al (2017) suggested that Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture supplementation increased meat colour and redness values but decreased lightness value of LM, although pH, WHC, drip loss, LM area, and backfat thickness were not affected. Liu et al (2016) found that S. baicalensis and Lonicera japonica extract mixture supplementation exerted no effects on meat colour, cooking loss, drip loss, LM area and sensory evaluation of LM, whereas pH was increased and TBARS was decreased when S. baicalensis and L. japonica extract mixture was included in the diet.…”

Effects of Chinese herbal medicines mixture on growth performance digestive enzyme activity immune response of juvenile Japanese seabass,Lateolabrax japonicus

“…In general, a combination of herbs could provide more beneficial effects to hosts than a single one (Van Hai, ; Yılmaz, Ergün, & Soytaş, ). Moreover, synergistic interaction between the bioactive constituents of herbal mixture has been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro (Jian & Wu, ; Jung, Lee, Han, Jun, & Lee, ; Lan, Park, Lee, & Kim, ; Van Hai, ; Yılmaz et al, ). In this study, based on the theories of the Chinese veterinary medicine and the synergistic action between each herb, 12 traditional Chinese herbs were chosen and added in combination into feed (Table ), based on their antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant activities, and digestion and immune stimulation functions (Ardó et al, ; Zakes, Kowalska, Demska‐Zakes, Jeney, & Jeney, ; Yin et al., ; Yin et al, ; Reverter, Bontemps, Lecchini, Banaigs, & Sasal, ).…”