Effects of glycyrrhizic acid on growth performance,inflammatory factors,and antioxidant function in piglets

LI Wei

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.24.006

Abstract：This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of glycyrrhizic acid on the growth performance,inflammatory factors,and antioxidant function in weaned piglets.A total of 240 healthy 21-day-old weaned piglets were randomly divided into four groups,with six replicates per group and 10 piglets per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet,while experimental groups 1,2,and 3 received the basal diet supplemented with 100,200,and 400 mg/kg glycyrrhizic acid,respectively.The pre-test period was one week,and the formal test period was four weeks.The results showed that compared with the control group,the final weight and average daily gain(ADG)in experimental group 2 were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the feed to gain ratio(F/G)was significantly reduced(P<0.05).The diarrhea rate in experimental groups was extremely reduced(P<0.01).The serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)content in experimental groups 2 and 3 was significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the interleukin-6(IL-6)content in experimental groups was extremely reduced(P<0.01).The jejunal TNF-α content in experimental groups 2 and 3 was extremely reduced(P<0.01),and interleukin-10(IL-10)content was significantly increased(P<0.05).The relative expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the jejunum of experimental groups 2 and 3 were significantly reduced(P<0.05).The relative expression level of IL-10 in experimental group 2 was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the relative expression levels of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)and Toll like receptor 4(TLR4)were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The serum malondialdehyde(MDA)content in experimental group 2 was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activities were significantly increased(P<0.05).The study shows that supplementing 200 mg/kg glycyrrhizic acid in the diet of weaned piglets can alleviate the body's inflammatory response,enhance antioxidant capacity,and promote growth and development.