Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Astragalus dregs — the residue after the extraction of principal active components — on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune function of fattening pigs. Twenty-four 130 days of age fattening pigs were randomly assigned to the control...

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Main Authors: Qi Guo, Jiayi Wang, Xuhan Wang, Hongyi Zhang, Jiajiao Xing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Nutritional Science
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679024000958/type/journal_article
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author Qi Guo
Jiayi Wang
Xuhan Wang
Hongyi Zhang
Jiajiao Xing
author_facet Qi Guo
Jiayi Wang
Xuhan Wang
Hongyi Zhang
Jiajiao Xing
author_sort Qi Guo
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to investigate the impact of Astragalus dregs — the residue after the extraction of principal active components — on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune function of fattening pigs. Twenty-four 130 days of age fattening pigs were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group (supplemented with 10% Astragalus dregs). The production performance was evaluated by average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and diarrhoea rates. Additionally, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and immune function factors were analysed. The group supplemented with Astragalus dregs showed a trend towards improved ADG and ADFI and reduced diarrhoea rates (p > 0.05). Moreover, it significantly enhanced the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract (p < 0.05). Blood analysis revealed that globulin and total protein were increased, and glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were decreased (p < 0.05) in the group supplemented with Astragalus dregs. The antioxidant capacity was significantly promoted by elevated T-AOC, GSH-px, and SOD activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05). The immune function factors demonstrated that IgA, IgG, IgM, and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-22 were significantly increased, meanwhile pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-6 were decreased (p < 0.05).
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spelling doaj-art-57fd823006a94a46b94ce7e4381eb8592025-08-20T01:49:54ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Nutritional Science2048-67902025-01-011410.1017/jns.2024.95Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigsQi Guo0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7865-9110Jiayi Wang1Xuhan Wang2Hongyi Zhang3Jiajiao Xing4School of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, ChinaSchool of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, ChinaThis study aimed to investigate the impact of Astragalus dregs — the residue after the extraction of principal active components — on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune function of fattening pigs. Twenty-four 130 days of age fattening pigs were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group (supplemented with 10% Astragalus dregs). The production performance was evaluated by average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and diarrhoea rates. Additionally, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and immune function factors were analysed. The group supplemented with Astragalus dregs showed a trend towards improved ADG and ADFI and reduced diarrhoea rates (p > 0.05). Moreover, it significantly enhanced the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract (p < 0.05). Blood analysis revealed that globulin and total protein were increased, and glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were decreased (p < 0.05) in the group supplemented with Astragalus dregs. The antioxidant capacity was significantly promoted by elevated T-AOC, GSH-px, and SOD activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05). The immune function factors demonstrated that IgA, IgG, IgM, and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-22 were significantly increased, meanwhile pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-6 were decreased (p < 0.05).https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679024000958/type/journal_articleAstragalusFeed additiveProduction performanceTraditional Chinese medicine dregs
spellingShingle Qi Guo
Jiayi Wang
Xuhan Wang
Hongyi Zhang
Jiajiao Xing
Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
Journal of Nutritional Science
Astragalus
Feed additive
Production performance
Traditional Chinese medicine dregs
title Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
title_full Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
title_fullStr Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
title_full_unstemmed Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
title_short Supplemented with Astragalus dregs improves growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
title_sort supplemented with astragalus dregs improves growth performance immunity and antioxidant capacity in fattening pigs
topic Astragalus
Feed additive
Production performance
Traditional Chinese medicine dregs
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2048679024000958/type/journal_article
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