Development of Multi-Bioactive Driven Composite Plant Extracts and Functional Study in Mice and Piglets

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Pharmacology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Dietary antibiotics are widely used in animal production but raise concerns regarding antibiotic resistance.
• There is a growing need for safe and effective alternatives to promote animal growth and health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multi-bioactive composite plant extract as a potential substitute for feed antibiotics.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the developed plant extract in animal models.

Main Methods:

• Selected five plant materials based on in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory screening.
• Formulated three composite extracts (C1, C2, C3) using orthogonal design.
• Conducted feeding trials in mice and piglets, assessing growth performance, hematological parameters, organ indexes, gut microbiota, and intestinal morphology.

Main Results:

• Plant extracts C1 and C2 showed no adverse effects on hematological parameters or organ indexes in mice.
• Supplementation with C1 or C2 significantly improved growth performance and modulated gut microbiota in mice.
• C1 and C2 restored intestinal morphology and immune responses in LPS-challenged mice, and C2 improved growth in piglets comparable to antibiotic use.

Conclusions:

• A multi-bioactive composite plant extract was successfully developed.
• The developed plant extract demonstrates potential as a safe and effective alternative to conventional feed antibiotics in animal production.