Cannabinoids and their receptors play a significant role in the regulation of gastrointestinal (GIT) peristalsis and intestinal barrier permeability. This review critically evaluates current knowledge about the mechanisms of action and biological effects of endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids on GIT functions and the potential therapeutic applications of these compounds. The results of ex vivo and in vivo preclinical data indicate that cannabinoids can both inhibit and stimulate gut peristalsis, depending on various factors. Endocannabinoids affect peristalsis in a cannabinoid (CB) receptor-specific manner; however, there is also an important interaction between them and the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) system. Phytocannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) impact gut motility mainly through the CB1 receptor. They were also found to improve intestinal barrier integrity, mainly through CB1 receptor stimulation but also via protein kinase A (PKA), mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK), and adenylyl cyclase signaling pathways, as well as by influencing the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins. The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids in GIT disorders are postulated to occur by the lowering of inflammatory factors such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and regulation of cytokine levels. In conclusion, there is a prospect of utilizing cannabinoids as components of therapy for GIT disorders.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a Standardized Natural Citrus Extract (SNCE) on broiler chickens’ growth performance, gut health, carcass quality, and welfare. A total of 756 one-day-old Ross 308 males were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CTL) fed with a standard diet, and a citrus group (SNCE) fed with the same standard diet supplemented with 250 g/ton of feed of SNCE. Growth performance was recorded weekly until d 35, while mortality was recorded daily. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European Efficiency Index (EEI) of broiler chickens were also calculated weekly. At day 35, 10 birds per group were randomly selected for slaughter performance. In parallel, broiler chickens’ welfare was assessed according to the Welfare Quality Assessment Protocol. Caecal digest was also collected post mortem for short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) analyses, and jejunum samples were collected for ex vivo gut permeability assay. SNCE dietary supplementation enhanced broiler chickens’ performance, i.e., final bodyweight and EEI, compared to the CTL group. The carcass weight was also significantly higher in the SNCE group. In addition, the fat percentage was lower in the SNCE group. Regarding broiler chickens’ welfare and gut health parameters, Footpad Dermatitis (FPD) and gate score were also lower in birds supplemented with SNCE. The SCFA measurement showed a lower concentration of iso-butyric acid, iso-valeric acid, and total putrefactive SCFA in the SNCE group. The differences in gut permeability measured as TEER value indicate that using citrus extract lowered the risk of gut inflammation. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of action that may underlie the observed effects of SNCE on performance, as demonstrated in this study and others. These effects could potentially be attributed to the reduction in inflammation and the enhanced utilization of nutrients. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

The presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in feed may increase intestinal barrier permeability. Disturbance of the intestinal barrier integrity may affect the absorption of antibiotics used in animals. Since the bioavailability of orally administered antibiotics significantly affects their efficacy and safety, it was decided to evaluate how DON influences the absorption of the most commonly used antibiotics in pigs, i.e., amoxicillin (AMX) and doxycycline (DOX). The studies were conducted using jejunal explants from adult pigs. Explants were incubated in Ussing chambers, in which a buffer containing DON (30 µg/mL), AMX (50 µg/mL), DOX (30 µg/mL), a combination of AMX + DON, or a combination of DOX + DON was used. Changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), the flux of transcellular and intracellular transport markers, and the flux of antibiotics across explants were measured. DON increased the permeability of small intestine explants, expressed by a reduction in TEER and an intensification of transcellular marker transport. DON did not affect AMX transport, but it accelerated DOX transport by approximately five times. The results suggest that DON inhibits the efflux transport of DOX to the intestinal lumen, and thus significantly changes its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders include a wide array of signs and symptoms that can occur anywhere throughout the luminal gastrointestinal tract. Motility disorders are often chronic in nature and dramatically affect patients’ quality of life. Due to the complex and sometimes unclear etiology of GI diseases, there is grand requirement of new drugs which could bring significant relief and control the severity of clinical symptoms. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of Bidens tripartita (Asteraceae) methanolic extract and its main constituents: luteolin (LUT), cynaroside (CYN) and flavanomarein (FLA) on the contractility intestinal smooth muscle specimens. The study was performed on porcine isolated jejunum strips. All experiments were conducted under isometric conditions. The extract was tested at concentrations ranging 0.001 to 0.1 mg/mL, individual phytoconstituents at doses 0.001 to 100 µM. The obtained results revealed that all tested samples induced increased gut contractility in both - spontaneous motoric function and ACh-induced reactivity. Among all tested substances, CYN turned out to be the most potent contractile agent and its prokinetic effect was dose-dependent. FLA and LUT induced only a slight myocontractile effect. Concluding, on the weight of these findings in the porcine model, B. tripartita is unlikely to be successful as a therapeutic agent for diarrhea-inducing gastrointestinal disorders but it may find an application as a pro-kinetic agent for gastrointestinal disorders accompanied by diminished motility or atony.

Oxidative stress can impair poultry health and performance, underscoring the importance of enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses as a nutritional strategy. Although plant-derived polyphenols have shown antioxidant potential, their efficacy remains inconsistent owing to variability in extract composition and the frequent evaluation of doses exceeding those authorized for commercial use. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with a standardized dry grape extract (SDGE, Nor-Grape^®, Nor-Feed, France) at an authorized inclusion level (30 mg/kg feed) on growth performance and antioxidant status in broiler chickens under commercial production conditions. A total of 756 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to a control diet (CTL, n = 392) or the same diet supplemented with grape extract (NG, n = 364) for 35 days. Growth performance was recorded throughout this study, and blood samples collected on days 11 and 35 were analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (TEAC), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and the activities of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Compared with controls, NG birds exhibited greater final body weight (+71.9 g; p < 0.001) and improved FCR during the finisher phase (p < 0.05). Supplementation significantly enhanced systemic antioxidant capacity and endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities while reducing lipid peroxidation, indicating improved oxidative status. These findings demonstrate that SDGE supplementation at commercially authorized inclusion levels effectively enhances antioxidant defenses and improves production performance in broiler chickens.