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Eucommia ulmoides is a perennial deciduous tree of the Eucommiaceae family, widely distributed in China to prevent obesity health derived problems. This tree is rich in lignans, iridoid terpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and other active components, with antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, liver protection, antitumor, and other pharmacological effects. This study examined the effects of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) supplements on carcass traits and lipid metabolism in growing–finishing pigs. For that purpose, a total of 144 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets with an average initial weight of 10.11 ± 0.03 kg were randomly allotted to four treatment groups, each with six replicates and six piglets per replicate. Each group of pigs was fed a basal diet or a diet supplemented with increasing levels of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (0.1, 0.2, or 0.3%).
The results showed that adding Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract had no negative effect on the growth performance of pigs. Dietary supplements of 0.1% Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract significantly increased carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass length, and eye muscle area. Compared with the control group, a 0.2% Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract supplement significantly increased the levels of adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and hormone-sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase activity in the serum. Histological examination showed that Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract inhibited fat deposition in the backfat tissue. Lipid metabolism-related biochemical indices and mRNA expression levels were improved after supplementing diets with Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract. Moreover, all three levels of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract dramatically upregulated the protein levels of p-AMPK-α and p-ACC.
In summary, adding Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract to pig diets could improve the carcass traits of growing–finishing pigs and exert a lipid-lowering effect by activating the AMPK-ACC pathway and regulating mRNA expression levels related to lipid metabolism.
Yang Y, Li F, Guo Q, Wang W, Zhang L, Yin Y, Gong S, Han M, Yin Y. Effects of Different Supplemental Levels of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract in the Diet on Carcass Traits and Lipid Metabolism in Growing–Finishing Pigs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2021; 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.828165
