Magnolol (MAG) is a multifunctional plant polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and antitumor properties. In poultry, it has been shown to improve growth performance, antioxidant, immune functions and intestinal health. However, its applications are limited by poor solubility and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed at improving the water solubility of MAG through solid dispersion and investigating its effects in Arbor Acre (AA) broilers. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose succinic acid (HPMCAS) was used as a carrier to prepare magnolol solid dispersions (MAG-HPMCAS SD) via antisolvent coprecipitation, which were characterized thereafter. Optimal formulation proportions for SD were screened by in vitro dissolution assays, while its effects on improving absorption were investigated via in vivo pharmacokinetic assays. In addition, we evaluated the effects of MAG-HPMCAS SD on growth performance, antioxidant status, and gut microbiota in AA broilers. The powder samples prepared via antisolvent coprecipitation did not exhibit a crystal diffraction peak of MAG in powder X-ray diffractions or melting point peak in differential scanning calorimetry, proving the successful preparation of an amorphous solid dispersion system. The in vitro dissolution assay showed that the cumulative dissolution rate of MAG-HPMCAS(LF) SD (2:8, w/w) was 100%. Pharmacokinetic analyses revealed that the peak concentration (C_max) of MAG-HPMCAS SD was 5.07 ± 0.73 μg/mL, which was 1.76 times greater than that of MAG. In addition, AUC_0–48 and t_1/2 of MAG-HPMCAS SD were 40.49 ± 6.29 g·h/mL and 9.15 ± 3.23 h, respectively, which were 2.17 and 2.56 times higher than those of MAG. Supplementation of MAG-HPMCAS SD in AA broilers significantly increased ADG (7–14 d and 15–21 d) and reduced feed conversion ratio (15–21 d) (P < 0.05). Bacterial diversity in the MAG-HPMCAS SD-supplemented group was greater than in the Control and MAG-supplemented group. Supplementation of MAG-HPMCAS SD stimulated the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae. In conclusion, the MAG-HPMCAS SD prepared by coprecipitation improved the dissolution rate, the bioavailability of MAG, growth promotion, antioxidant effects and gut health in broilers.

This study aims to evaluate the effects ofLactiplantibacillus plantarum19-2 (L. plantarum19-2) on mice treated with the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CTX). Our findings show thatL. plantarum19-2 restored the spleen and thymus index and the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes% in CTX treated mice. Serum immunoglobulin levels in CTX-treated mice were increased byL. plantarum19-2. In addition, as compared to the model group,L. plantarum19-2 upregulated the content of SIgA, whileL. plantarum19-2 regulates the mRNA and protein expression levels of GATA-3, T-bet, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in small intestinal tissues, which adjusted mucosal barriers, structural status, and the balance of Helper T-cell 1 and Helper T-cell 2.Lactiplantibacillus plantarum19-2 regulated the distribution of intestinal flora in mice, promoting the growth ofBacteroidesandProteobacteria. In addition,L. plantarum19-2 inhibited the growth of several harmful bacteria, includingActinobacteriaandFirmicutes.

This study was conducted to assess the mitigating effects of curcumin (Cur) on immunotoxicity in the spleen of broilers induced by the polybrominated diphenyl ether BDE-209. Eighty one-day-old broilers were allocated to the following four groups: control group, BDE-209 (0.4 g/kg) group, BDE-209 (0.4 g/kg) + Cur (0.3 mg/kg) group, and Cur (0.3 mg/kg) group. Growth performance, immunological function, inflammation, and apoptosis were assessed after 42 days of treatment. The findings demonstrate that firstly, Cur restored spleen damage caused by BDE-209 by increasing body weight, decreasing feed-to-gain ratio, correcting the spleen index, and improving the histopathological structure of the spleen. Secondly, Cur relieved BDE-209-induced immunosuppression by increasing the levels of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA in the serum, as well as the levels of white blood cells and lymphocytes. The levels at which GATA binding protein 3, T-box expressed in T cells, interferon-γ, and interleukin (IL)- 4 are expressed were controlled. The ratio of T helper (Th) type 1 (Th1) to Th2 cells in the spleen of broilers was also controlled. Thirdly, Cur reduced the expression of Toll like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1β, which alleviated BDE-209-induced inflammation in broilers. Cur reduced BDE-209-induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of the bcl-2 protein, decreasing the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and bax proteins, decreasing the bax/bcl-2 protein ratio, and decreasing the mean optical density of TUNEL. These results suggest that Cur protects broiler spleens from BDE-209-induced immunotoxicity via modulating humoral immunity, the equilibrium between Th1 and Th2 cells, the TLRs/NF-κB inflammatory pathway, and the apoptotic pathway.

Calf diarrhea, particularly that caused by diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, has become a major issue affecting the sustainable development of the calf farming industry. Although the use of traditional antimicrobial agents can alleviate symptoms, challenges such as antibiotic resistance, drug residues, and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis urgently need to be addressed. Therefore, this study investigates the mechanism by which compound probiotics alleviate diarrheagenic Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea in calves. Compound probiotics were administered to calves with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea, and their effects on growth performance, intestinal microbiota structure, and metabolic profiles were evaluated. The results showed that compound probiotic intervention significantly improved calf growth performance and weight gain. Integrated 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics analyses revealed that compound probiotic intervention markedly modulated the intestinal microbiota, particularly by increasing the abundance of the genus Blautia, while also improving tryptophan and bile acid metabolic pathways. Furthermore, fecal microbiota transplantation experiments conducted in both calves and antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion mouse models confirmed the regulatory effects of compound probiotics on the intestinal microbiota, especially with respect to tryptophan and bile acid metabolism. Compound probiotic intervention regulated key metabolites, including kynurenic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid, which were positively correlated with Blautia, and significantly reduced inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory factors and upregulating anti-inflammatory factors, thereby alleviating diarrheagenic Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea in calves. Overall, this study provides new insights into the application of probiotics in intestinal health management and highlights the significant potential of compound probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of calf diarrhea.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin (Cur) against broiler liver damage caused by exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209).Methods: Four groups of 96 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the control group, the BDE-209 (0.4 g/kg) group, the BDE-209 (0.4 g/kg)+Cur (0.3 g/kg) group, or the Cur (0.3 g/kg) group. Following a 42-day treatment period, intestinal microbiota, hepatic inflammatory response, and endoplasmic reticulum stress were evaluated.Results: BDE-209 caused severe intestinal damage, including shortened villi, increased crypt depth, disruption of tight junction structures, and ultrastructural abnormalities. Cur treatment alleviated these pathological changes, restoring tight junction protein expression and improving intestinal barrier function. Cur also cured BDE-209‑induced gut microbiota dysbiosis by increasing beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and reducing harmful bacteria including Proteobacteria. Moreover, Cur lowered intestinal levels of key pro‑inflammatory cytokines. BDE‑209 caused significant liver damage, including histological lesions, hepatocyte ultrastructural damage, elevated blood liver enzymes, and oxidative stress. Cur improved liver function, lowered NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways, and reduced the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress‑related proteins and genes.Conclusion: Cur alleviated BDE-209-induced liver damage in broilers while also restoring gut microbiota and reduction of inflammation, and endoplasmic reticula stress.