Artemisia annua Residue Regulates Immunity, Antioxidant Ability, Intestinal Barrier Function, and Microbial Structure...

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition and Feed Science
• Veterinary Immunology
• Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

• Artemisia annua residue (AR), a byproduct of artemisinin extraction, is rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds.
• AR presents potential as an unconventional feed ingredient for livestock, particularly for improving animal health and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of dietary Artemisia annua residue (AR) supplementation on the growth performance, immune status, and intestinal health of weaned piglets.
• To determine the optimal inclusion level of AR in the diet for enhancing piglet development and well-being.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two weaned piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1%, 2%, or 4% AR for 28 days.
• Growth performance (ADG), serum immune parameters (IgA, C3), antioxidant activity (SOD), intestinal morphology (villus height), tight junction protein expression (Claudin-1, ZO-1), and gut microbiota composition were analyzed.

Main Results:

• AR supplementation increased serum IgA, C3, and superoxide dismutase activity, alongside improved duodenal villus height.
• The 2% AR group showed enhanced average daily gain (ADG), serum total protein, duodenal Claudin-1, and colonic ZO-1 and MUC2 expression.
• AR modulated gut microbiota, increasing beneficial Romboutsia and Anaerostipes while decreasing Proteobacteria.

Conclusions:

• Dietary AR supplementation positively influences growth, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in weaned piglets.
• AR enhances intestinal barrier function and promotes a healthier gut microbiome composition.
• The optimal AR inclusion level for weaned piglets is estimated between 2.08% and 4.24%.