Passiflora Incarnata powder extract in postweaning piglets feeding slightly improves wellbeing and immune parameters

Natural compounds derived from plants have gained a considerable interest as diet additives for the potential to improve animal health and performance. This study focused on the effects of the dietary administration of Passiflora incarnata extract on skin lesion, thermal imaging and immunity in weaned piglets. Growth performances were also monitored. Eighty piglets weaned at 28 days of age, with a mean starting weight of 10.0 ± 0.43 kg were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: control diet (CON) and CON diet supplemented with 1 kg/t of Passiflora incarnata (PASS). The results showed that the group fed with a diet supplementedwithPassifloraincarnatawascharacterizedbyequalgrowthperformanceofthecontroldietgroup, less body lesions (P < 0.01), higher ear and back temperature (P < 0.01) and activated immune response. Time effect was observed for body lesion (P < 0.01), thermal imaging (P < 0.01), and for IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF−α (P < 0.05). Compared with female, male piglets had higher levels of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and NF-κB. In conclusion this study confirmed that Passiflora extract orally administered provides calming effect without altering growth performance.