Epidemiological surveillance involves systematic gathering, analysis, interpretation, and sharing of health data, with the goal of preventing and controlling diseases

Silymarin, a flavonolignan-rich extract of Silybum marianum, is widely recognized for its hepatoprotective potential. While rodent studies predominate, pigs (Sus scrofa) offer a more translationally relevant model due to their hepatic architecture, bile acid composition, and transporter expression, which closely resemble those of humans. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and hepatoprotective activity of silymarin in porcine models. Available studies demonstrate that when adequate intrahepatic exposure is achieved, particularly through optimised formulations, silymarin can attenuate oxidative stress, suppress inflammatory signalling, stabilise mitochondria, and modulate fibrogenic pathways. Protective effects have been reported across diverse porcine injury paradigms, including toxin-induced necrosis, ethanol- and diet-associated steatosis, metabolic dysfunction, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and partial hepatectomy. However, the evidence base remains limited, with few long-term studies addressing fibrosis or regeneration, and methodological heterogeneity complicates the comparison of data across studies. Current knowledge gaps in silymarin research include inconsistent chemotype characterization among plant sources, limited reporting of unbound pharmacokinetic parameters, and variability in histological scoring criteria across studies, which collectively hinder cross-study comparability and mechanistic interpretation. Advances in analytical chemistry, transporter biology, and formulation design are beginning to refine the interpretation of exposure–response relationships. Advances in analytical chemistry, transporter biology, and formulation design are beginning to refine the interpretation of exposure–response relationships. In parallel, emerging computational approaches, including machine-learning-assisted chemotype fingerprinting, automated histology scoring, and Bayesian exposure modeling, are being explored as supportive tools to enhance reproducibility and translational relevance; however, these frameworks remain exploratory and require empirical validation, particularly in modeling enterohepatic recirculation. Collectively, current porcine evidence supports silymarin as a context-dependent yet credible hepatoprotective agent, highlighting priorities for future research to better define its therapeutic potential in clinical nutrition and veterinary practice.

Curcumin, the major polyphenolic constituent of Curcuma longa, has been widely investigated as a hepatoprotective adjunct due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. This review evaluates the relevance of curcumin for the prevention and management of liver dysfunction and hepatitis in pigs by synthesizing available porcine evidence and integrating mechanistic insights from translational liver injury models where pig-specific data remain limited. Across experimental hepatic injury contexts, curcumin administration is most consistently associated with reduced biochemical and structural indicators of hepatocellular damage, including decreased aminotransferase activity, attenuation of lipid peroxidation, and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses. These effects are mechanistically linked to suppression of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, particularly NF-κB-related transcriptional activity and inflammasome-associated responses, together with reduced expression of key cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Concurrent activation of Nrf2-centered cytoprotective pathways and induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes (including HO-1, GST, and NQO1) appear to constitute a conserved axis supporting hepatic oxidative stress resilience. In swine-relevant infectious settings, available data further support antiviral activity against selected porcine pathogens, including classical swine fever virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, potentially mediated through interference with lipid-dependent stages of viral replication and modulation of Kupffer cell activation. Although combination strategies with established hepatoprotective approaches are conceptually attractive, current synergy evidence remains heterogeneous and largely extrapolated. Overall, curcumin represents a plausible adjunct candidate for supporting porcine liver health; however, translation into practice will depend on resolving formulation-dependent bioavailability constraints and strengthening the pig-specific evidence base.