Supplementation with Quaternary Benzo(c)phenanthridine Alkaloids Decreased Salivary Cortisol andSalmonellaShedding in Pigs After Transportation to the Slaughterhouse

Abstract

The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of herbal extracts supplementation, particularly quaternary-benzo(c)phenanthridine alkaloids (QBA), which have been previously demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-modulator effects. We investigated the role of QBA on stress response and Salmonella shedding in finishing pigs transported to the slaughterhouse. A total of 82 pigs were orally challenged with a Salmonella cocktail (day 0) containing Salmonella Meleagridis, Hartford, Bovismorbificans and Newport serovars and randomly assigned to three treatment groups after 2 wks (day [D] 14): T1, in-feed QBA; T2, in-feed and water-soluble QBA; CON, nonsupplemented). Pigs were transported to the slaughterhouse 2 weeks after intervention (D 28) and slaughtered after nearly 19 h (D 29). Saliva, fecal samples, and carcass swabs were collected from all pigs. Salivary cortisol, Salmonella shedding, and carcass contamination were measured. A high positive correlation (Spearman rank correlation coefficient range 0.82-0.93) between salivary cortisol and Salmonella shedding was found after transportation in all groups (p < 0.05). Only the CON group showed an increase in salivary cortisol after transportation (5.48 ng/mL; p < 0.0001) to concentrations that were higher than in T1 (2.73 ng/mL; p = 0.0002) and T2 (1.88 ng/mL; p < 0.0001). Salmonella prevalence and shedding decreased after transportation in pigs receiving the QBA intervention (p < 0.05), whereas the control group showed a significant increase in Salmonella shedding after transportation (p = 0.04). At D 28, pigs in T2 shed lower numbers of Salmonella as compared to T1 (1.3E + 02 CFU/mL versus 8E + 03 CFU/mL; p = 0.002). Additionally, carcass contamination by Salmonella was higher in the CON group than the treated groups (p = 0.01). The findings show QBA intervention was effective in reducing transportation stress of pigs, resulting in reduced Salmonella shedding and positively impacting animal welfare and pork safety.

Betaine and Isoquinoline Alkaloids Protect against Heat Stress and Colonic Permeability in Growing Pigs

“…Additionally, IQAs can reduce fermentation, which also contributes to heat production, in the large intestine [ 43 ]. Elsewhere, dietary IQA’s have been demonstrated to have post-absorptive effects, such as improvements in antioxidant capacity, and also reduce cortisol concentrations following transport stress [ 16 ], supporting effects beyond the GIT. Considering these results in comparison to those of [ 38 ], who showed that only a small alkaloid proportion was absorbed, the effects of sanguinarine and other isoquinoline alkaloids beyond the GIT warrants further investigation.…”

“…Additional properties as a methyl donor could contribute to a wide range of biological reactions reducing oxidative stress and methylation pathways, improving efficiency in dairy [ 13 ], meat [ 14 ] and egg production [ 15 ] from heat-stressed livestock. Plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids such as sanguinarine reduce stress and Salmonella shedding in transported pigs [ 16 , 17 ]. Isoquinoline alkaloids inhibit cellular Na + /K + ATPases, which are important contributors to thermogenesis [ 18 , 19 ] and therefore may provide an approach to mitigate heat stress.…”

Safety Evaluation of a Standardized &lt;i&gt;Macleaya cordata&lt;/i&gt; Extract in a Ninety Day Feeding Study in Weaned Piglets

“…In swine, Sangrovit® has been evaluated for its effects on stress response and pathogen shedding in finishing pigs [15] and ef-fects on the growth parameters in weaning piglets [3]. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the safety of MCE consumption in weaned piglets.…”

Metabolism and Tissue Distribution of Chelerythrine and Effects of Macleaya Cordata Extracts on Liver NAD(P)H Quinone Oxidoreductase

“…In China, the extracts of M. cordata containing chelerythrine and sanguinarine were approved as the first Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in feed. Products containing M. cordata extract, with a bitter flavor, have been used as a naturally-derived appetizing agent for addition to the feed of production animals including bovine ( 21 , 22 ), poultry ( 23 , 24 ), fish ( 25 ), and swine ( 26 , 27 ). With the increasing attention on food safety, it was important to study the residue of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in tissues following intragastric administration with M. cordata extracts for 3 weeks.…”