Effect of Dandelion root extract on growth performance, immune function and bacterial community in weaned pigs

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary Chinese herb medicine extracted from Dandelion root on growth performance, serum immune markers, faecal bacterial community and their metabolites in weaned pigs. The results showed that dietary Dandelion root extract (CHE) supplementation decreased (P？<？.05) the diarrhoea frequency, but had no effect on growth performance of weaned pigs. Dietary CHE supplementation increased (P？<？.05) propionate and butyrate concentrations in faecal samples of pigs. Moreover, dietary CHE supplementation increased (P？<？.05) IL-6 concentration and decreased (P？<？.05) IL-4 concentration in serum. Pigs in the CHE group had lower (P？<？.05) relative abundance of Clostridiaceae_1 on family level and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 on genus level in faeces. In conclusion, dietary CHE supplementation increased the concentration of faecal butyrate, improved immune function and altered relative abundance and composition of faecal microflora in weaned pigs