This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Mosla chinensis extract (MCE) on broiler intestinal health. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (balanced for sex) were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each with six replicates of 10 chickens. The study comprised a starter phase (days 1–21) and a grower phase (days 22–42). The control group (C) received a basal diet, while the experimental groups were supplemented with low (S1, 500 mg/kg), medium (S2, 1000 mg/kg), and high doses (S3, 2000 mg/kg) of MCE. The results showed that MCE supplementation significantly improved average daily gain in broilers (p < 0.05) and reduced the feed-to-gain ratio in broilers. Additionally, MCE enhanced the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of broilers. In the duodenum and cecum, MCE significantly upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-1, and Occludin, with the high-dose group showing the strongest effect on intestinal barrier protection (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ZO-1 in dudenum (p > 0.05). Microbial analysis indicated that MCE supplementation significantly reduced the Chao and Sobs indices in both the small and large intestines (p < 0.05). At the same time, the Coverage index of the small intestine increased, with the high-dose group demonstrating the most pronounced effect. Beta diversity analysis revealed that MCE had a significant modulatory effect on the microbial composition in the large intestine (p < 0.05), with a comparatively smaller impact on the small intestine. Furthermore, MCE supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Alistipes in the large intestine, along with beneficial genera that promote short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, thus optimizing the gut microecological environment. Correlation analysis of SCFAs further confirmed a significant association between the enriched microbiota and the production of acetate, propionate, and butyrate (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with MCE promotes healthy growth and feed intake in broilers and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. By optimizing gut microbiota composition, enhancing intestinal barrier function, and promoting SCFA production, MCE effectively maintains gut microecological balance, supporting broiler intestinal health.

Avian coccidiosis (AC) is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Eimeria tenella (E.tenella), which primarily parasitizes the cecum of chickens, resulting in a reduction of their production capacity. Areca alkaloids(AAl), derived from the plant Areca catechu L, have been repeatedly reported to exhibit anti-parasitic effects against protozoa, this suggests its potential efficacy in combating E.tenella. of this study is to explore the mechanism underlying the anti E.tenella effects of AAl. Screening potential active ingredients of AAl by establishing an Eimeria tenella spores(ETs) infection model of extracellular chicken cecal epithelial cells. Confirm the anti E.tenella effect of potential active ingredients through in vivo experiments on broiler chickens, HE stained sections of cecal tissue, immunofluorescence staining, and Elisa inflammatory immune index detection. indicate that arecoline and homoarecoline exhibit significant in vitro anti E.tenella activity. Electron microscopy observations revealed that these two compounds can disrupt the apical structure of E.tenella spores. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that the common targets of these two compounds are the acrosomal protein AMA 1 and filamentous protein MIC 3 of ETs. Homoarecoline binds to a greater number of E.tenella targets. Both compounds showed efficacy in the anti coccidiosis index (ACI) evaluation of chicken models infected with E.tenella., Neither compound induced an increase in sIgA levels in the cecum of chickens. this study elucidates the primary active ingredients and molecular targets of AAl against E.tenella, suggesting that arecoline and homoarecoline may serve as potential therapeutic agents for E.tenella infection.

Macleaya cordata (Wild.) R. Br. is an important medicinal plant distributed throughout China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Its extract is used as a substitute for antibiotics in animal feed (Huang et al. 2018). Approximately 5% of the M. cordata plants in a field in Shaoyang, Hunan Province, China had rotten stem bases and black roots. The symptoms began with blackening and rotting from the roots, and all leaves rapidly withered away, leading to the death of the entire plants that had pink powdery plaques on the root surfaces. Diseased root tissues (5 × 5 mm) were surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol for 15 s and 2.5% NaOCl for 10 min and rinsed three times with sterile water. Excess water was absorbed with sterile filter paper. The tissues were then incubated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28ºC in darkness. After isolation and purification, the fungal colonies were sub-cultured on fresh PDA for 7 days. The mycelia were aerial, thick, and white, and turned pale light purple when observed from the reverse s...

With the increasing demand for sustainable animal production, the utilization of agricultural and processing by-products as functional feed ingredients has gained growing attention. However, the application of Xiasangju processing residues, a by-product generated during the industrial processing of the traditional Chinese herbal formula Xiasangju, in poultry nutrition remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition, bioactive components, and potential functional effects of Xiasangju processing by-products as a dietary supplement for late-laying hens. Chemical composition was characterized using LC-MS and conventional nutritional analysis, while potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms were predicted via network pharmacology. A total of 288 Jingfen laying hens (55 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% Xiasangju processing by-products for 56 days. Results showed that 11 major active compounds were identified, including relatively high levels of linarin and rosmarinic acid, along with abundant crude protein, fiber, minerals, and amino acids. Dietary supplementation at 1.5% was associated with higher egg production rate, egg weight, and yolk color without obvious adverse effects on organ indices or serum biochemical parameters. This treatment was also associated with lower inflammatory gene expression, including IL-6 and COX-2 in the ileum and NF-κB, IL-6, COX-2, and TNF-α in the cecum. No significant effects were observed on antioxidant status in yolk or liver, or intestinal morphology. Integrated analyses using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro COX-2 inhibition suggested that anti-inflammatory-related responses may involve COX-2-related pathways, while 16S rRNA sequencing indicated changes in gut microbiota composition. In conclusion, Xiasangju processing by-products may serve as a potential functional feed ingredient for late-laying hens, with 1.5% inclusion showing favorable overall performance under the conditions of this study. These effects may be associated with the combined contribution of residual nutrients and bioactive compounds in the residues.

Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde is a perennial herb belonging to the family Papaveraceae. This plant, together with the better-known species M. cordata (Willd.) R. Br., are native to central China and now planted worldwide for medicinal purposes (Qing et al. 2015). In August 2018, M. microcarpa in the Chinese herbal medicine planting base (approximately 4.3 ha) of Hunan Agriculture University in Changsha city, Hunan Province, showed what seems a soilborne disease, where approximately 25% of the plants were affected. The characteristic symptoms consisted of rotting, wilting and blighting. Infected plants gradually withered, and white mycelial mats and sclerotia appeared on the surface of roots and stems at the soil line. Five sclerotia collected from three infected plants were surface disinfested in 0.5% NaOCl for 30 s, then 75% alcohol for 10 s, rinsed in sterile water 3 times, air dried, plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA), with one sclerotia per dish, and incubated at 30°C in the dark. After 5 day...