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Biological Activities of Natural Compounds and Their Application in Animal...
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Biological Activities of Natural Compounds and Their Application in Animal Health

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 1320

Editors

Dr. Watcharapong Mitsuwan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Interests: veterinary microbiology; biofilms; medicinal plant extracts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Phirabhat Saengsawang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Interests: antimicrobial activity; antimicrobial resistance; veterinary bacteriology; zoonosis; bioactive compound
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal health is the priority of owners and veterinarians. However, there are many causes for animals suffering from diseases or illnesses. Infections from pathogens significantly impact the mobility and mortality of animals due to the severity of diseases, resulting in widespread illness. Furthermore, infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens are difficult to eliminate with antibiotics.

 Natural compounds, such as those derived from plants, offer alternative strategies for treating animal diseases. These natural compounds play a crucial role in many processes, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. In addition, some plant materials or extracts can enhance the growth performance of animals. 

This issue aims to improve the global health of animals by utilizing natural compounds based on their biological activities. This Special Issue invites the submission of research on the biological activities of natural compounds and their application in animal health. Therefore, articles, reviews, and case studies that present information on the biological activities of natural compounds are welcome. 

Dr. Watcharapong Mitsuwan
Guest Editor

Dr. Phirabhat Saengsawang
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural compounds
  • animal health
  • infections
  • biological activities

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 288 KB  
Article
Cynara scolymus Extract–Inulin Feed Additive Improves Intestinal Function and Growth in Weaned Piglets
by Guadalupe Martínez, Julieta María Decundo, Susana Nelly Diéguez, Denisa Soledad Pérez Gaudio, Carolina Paula Bianchi, Eugenio Colusi, Fabián Andrés Amanto and Alejandro Luis Soraci
Animals 2026, 16(14), 2250; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16142250 - 21 Jul 2026
Abstract
The early post-weaning period in piglets is characterized by physiological and environmental stress that can impair intestinal function and growth performance. Plant-derived feed additives have gained interest as a nutritional strategy to support gut integrity and productivity. Extracts from Cynara scolymus stimulate bile [...] Read more.
The early post-weaning period in piglets is characterized by physiological and environmental stress that can impair intestinal function and growth performance. Plant-derived feed additives have gained interest as a nutritional strategy to support gut integrity and productivity. Extracts from Cynara scolymus stimulate bile secretion and exhibit antioxidant properties, whereas inulin may promote beneficial microbial populations and intestinal functionality through prebiotic activity. This study evaluated the biological activity of a feed additive containing Cynara scolymus extract and inulin on intestinal functional indicators and productive performance of post-weaned piglets under intensive production conditions. Four hundred and eight piglets were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CON) that was fed a basal diet, and a treatment group (CSI) that was supplemented with the additive (5% Cynara scolymus extract and 14% inulin) at 300 g/ton of feed. Plasma cortisol and citrulline concentrations were measured during the first 15 days post-weaning. On day 16 post-weaning, intestinal parameters were evaluated, including gastrointestinal pH; enterobacteria and lactic acid bacteria counts; volatile fatty acids; bacterial adhesion to ileal mucus; disaccharidase activity; and small intestinal histomorphology. Growth performance was monitored during the 50-day nursery phase. Compared with CON piglets, CSI piglets exhibited higher plasma citrulline concentrations (72.72 ± 20.87 vs. 47.54 ± 17.05 µM; p < 0.001), indicating improved intestinal epithelial functionality. CSI supplementation also increased the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (3.67 ± 0.75 vs. 2.68 ± 0.64; p = 0.001), suggesting enhanced intestinal epithelial integrity. Furthermore, CSI piglets showed higher average daily gain (0.53 ± 0.07 vs. 0.44 ± 0.09 kg/day; p = 0.003) and a better feed conversion ratio (1.27 ± 0.20 vs. 1.57 ± 0.57; p = 0.004). These results suggest that Cynara scolymus extract and inulin supplementation has beneficial biological effects on intestinal epithelial functionality and productive performance in post-weaning piglets under commercial conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activities of Natural Compounds and Their Application in Animal Health)
20 pages, 800 KB  
Article
Phytosynbiotic Containing Double-Layer Microencapsulated Pediococcus acidilactici V202 and Tiliacora triandra Leaf Extract Improve Growth Performance and Gut Health in Broiler Chickens
by Manatsanun Nopparatmaitree, Juan J. Loor, Chaiwat Arjin, Noraphat Hwanhlem, Pranpriya Sudchamrong, Buachompooputr Buapa, Payungsuk Intawicha and Tossaporn Incharoen
Animals 2026, 16(5), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16050845 - 7 Mar 2026
Viewed by 899
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of a novel phytosynbiotic feed supplement derived from double-layer microencapsulated Pediococcus acidilactici V202 and Tiliacora triandra leaf extract (DMP) on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, gut fermentation, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of a novel phytosynbiotic feed supplement derived from double-layer microencapsulated Pediococcus acidilactici V202 and Tiliacora triandra leaf extract (DMP) on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, gut fermentation, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 250 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: basal control diet, antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) with chlortetracycline at 0.07%, and DMP supplementation at 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00% (w/w) for 42 days. Compared with the control diet, feeding the DMP led to linear or quadratic responses (p < 0.05) on average daily gain, feed efficiency, productive index, and economic returns. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and apparent metabolizable energy was enhanced in DMP-fed broilers, indicating improved nutrient utilization efficiency. These performance responses were accompanied by pronounced alterations in cecal fermentation, characterized by increased lactic acid, total volatile fatty acids, and particularly acetic and butyric acid levels (p < 0.01). Microbiome analysis revealed that the DMP selectively enriched fermentative SCFA-producing bacterial orders, including Lachnospirales, Oscillospirales, and Lactobacillales. It also reduced the relative abundance of less desirable taxa. As evidenced by an increased villus height and surface area in the duodenum and jejunum, along with a higher villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the ileum, feeding the DMP also enhanced small intestinal morphology. These coordinated morphological adaptations are indicative of enhanced epithelial maturation and reduced crypt hyperplasia, likely mediated by elevated microbial SCFA production in the gut. In conclusion, the DMP improved broiler growth performance by coordinating the modulation of the gut microbiota, SCFA levels, and intestinal morphology, resulting in enhanced nutrient digestibility and productivity. This phytosynbiotic strategy represents a sustainable plant-based alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for environmentally responsible poultry production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activities of Natural Compounds and Their Application in Animal Health)
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