Preventive effect of matrine on clostridium perfringens type A-induced diarrhoea in piglets

Clostridium perfringens (Cp) type A is one of the primary microorganisms responsible for bacterial diarrhoea in weaning piglets. Matrine, a tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid, exhibits diverse bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. To better understand the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Matrine on piglets infected with Cp type A (CpA). We investigated its preventive effects against diarrhoea over a 14-days period. Our results showed that 30 mg/kg of Matrine is non-toxic and does not harm the histological structure of organ tissues or alter the haematological indices of piglets. Matrine significantly reduced the abundance of CpA in faecal and intestines, as well as the content of toxin-α. The inflammatory response was mitigated following Matrine treatment, and physiological organ functions were restored, particularly through the repair of intestinal mucosal layer and sIgA level. Matrine also promoted a high abundance of beneficial intestinal microbiota, including Lactobacillus, Bacteroidota, Muribaculaceae, and Oscillospirales. This microbial composition inhibited the abundance of epithelial cells by Cp, thereby further reducing the diarrhoea rate and mortality in piglets. In conclusion, Matrine promotes the abundance of intestinal probiotics, inhibits the colonization of CpA, reduces the inflammatory response as well as restores intestinal tissue hismorphology. It will be used as a therapeutic agent diarrhea of piglets infected with CpA in the furture.