ABSTRACT
The aim
of this study was to assess the effects of Sangrovit®, a standardized preparation of Macleaya cordata extract (MCE), on the health status and performance in weaned piglets. A total of 128 weaned
piglets were randomly divided into four groups (n = 32, 16/sex/group) and fed
either a control feed (T1) or the control feed supplemented with 100 mg/kg
(T2), 500 mg/kg (T3), or 1000 mg/kg (T4) Sangrovit® (resulting in 0, 3.5, 17.5, 35 mg MCE/kg feed, respectively) for ninety
days. The parameters for growth and health status were evaluated during the
trial and blood was collected on Day 0 and Day 91 for hematology and
biochemistry analysis. After the animals were sacrificed, the weight of the
major organs and tissues was measured and histopathological examination on the
organs from 8
animals in each group (4/sex/group) was performed. The results showed no statistically
significant differences in live weight, feed intake, and average daily weight
gain between the treatment and control groups. The feed containing 100, 500, or
1000 mg/kg Sangrovit® was well tolerated by piglets, with no adverse effects noted during the feeding
period or in the histopathological results. The majority of the hematological and blood biochemistry
parameters displayed no significant changes between the control and treatment
groups. Compared to the control group, some hematological parameters including
MCV, platelets concentration, and APTT were modified in some but not all
treatment groups. Some significant changes in the blood biochemistry parameters
were found in the treatment groups including levels in bile acid, haptoglobin,
total serum protein, and GTT, as well as creatine kinase activity, but those
changes were not toxicologically significant because no observed changes were
seen in other similar biomarkers. In sum, this study demonstrated that the
addition of Sangrovit® to swine feed at up to 1000 mg/kg does not result in any toxicological effects
to the health status and growth of weaned piglets.