The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Sangrovit?, a standardized preparation of Macleaya cordata extract (MCE), on the health status and performance in weaned piglets. A total of 128 weaned piglets were randomly divided into four groups (n = 32, 16/sex/group) and fed either a control feed (T1) or the control feed supplemented with 100 mg/kg (T2), 500 mg/kg (T3), or 1000 mg/kg (T4) Sangrovit? (resulting in 0, 3.5, 17.5, 35 mg MCE/kg feed, respectively) for ninety days. The parameters for growth and health status were evaluated during the trial and blood was collected on Day 0 and Day 91 for hematology and biochemistry analysis. After the animals were sacrificed, the weight of the major organs and tissues was measured and histopathological examination on the organs from 8 animals in each group (4/sex/group) was performed. The results showed no statistically significant differences in live weight, feed intake, and average daily weight gain between the treatment and control groups. The feed containing 100, 500, or 1000 mg/kg Sangrovit? was well tolerated by piglets, with no adverse effects noted during the feeding period or in the histopathological results. The majority of the hematological and blood biochemistry parameters displayed no significant changes between the control and treatment groups. Compared to the control group, some hematological parameters including MCV, platelets concentration, and APTT were modified in some but not all treatment groups. Some significant changes in the blood biochemistry parameters were found in the treatment groups including levels in bile acid, haptoglobin, total serum protein, and GTT, as well as creatine kinase activity, but those changes were not toxicologically significant because no observed changes were seen in other similar biomarkers. In sum, this study demonstrated that the addition of Sangrovit? to swine feed at up to 1000 mg/kg does not result in any toxicological effects to the health status and growth of weaned piglets.
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