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Moringa oleifera leaf extract alleviates LPS-induced colonic injury in piglets by modulating oxidative status and microbial fermentation.

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Title: Moringa oleifera leaf extract alleviates LPS-induced colonic injury in piglets by modulating oxidative status and microbial fermentation.
Authors: Liu Z; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Ding L; Experimental Teaching Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Daniel S; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Hou M; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Wu J; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Miao J; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Sui Z; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Deng W; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Hang S; National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China., Xiang X; Experimental Teaching Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Source: Journal of the science of food and agriculture [J Sci Food Agric] 2026 Aug 30; Vol. 106 (11), pp. 6755-6765. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 May 10.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0376334 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1097-0010 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00225142 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Sci Food Agric Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: <2005-> : Chichester, West Sussex : John Wiley & Sons
Original Publication: London, Society of Chemical Industry.
MeSH Terms: Moringa oleifera*/chemistry , Moringa oleifera*/metabolism , Plant Extracts*/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts*/metabolism , Plant Extracts*/chemistry , Colon*/metabolism , Colon*/drug effects , Colon*/injuries , Colon*/microbiology , Bacteria*/metabolism , Bacteria*/genetics , Bacteria*/isolation & purification , Bacteria*/classification, Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Plant Leaves/chemistry ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism ; Antioxidants/administration & dosage ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism ; Animals ; Fermentation ; Swine
Abstract: Background: Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) is a carbohydrate-rich plant extract that may support intestinal homeostasis. The colon, as the principal site of the fermentation of indigestible carbohydrate, is susceptible to barrier disruption. However, the effects of MOLE on colonic health in piglets and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study systematically characterized the composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of MOLE, evaluated its effects on colonic health in piglets, and explored the potential mechanisms using the fermentation of colonic digesta and an intestinal porcine epithelial cell line J2 (IPEC-J2) oxidative stress model.
Results: MOLE was predominantly composed of carbohydrates and showed measurable chemical antioxidant activity. In weaned piglets, dietary MOLE alleviated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced colonic histological injury by suppressing CD14-dependent TLR4 signaling, enhancing NFE2L2-GCLC-mediated antioxidant defenses, up-regulating OCLN and MUC2, and modulating microbial and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles. In colonic digesta fermentation, MOLE supported carbohydrate-driven fermentation, as indicated by rapid bacterial growth, sustained acetate-dominant SCFA production, decreased pH, increased gas production, and the absence of branched-chain fatty acids. In IPEC-J2 cells, MOLE enhanced GCLC and GPX expression and promoted GSH-GPX-based antioxidant defenses under hydrogen peroxide challenge.
Conclusion: MOLE alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby helping to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Together, these results support MOLE's development as a practical feed additive. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
(© 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.)
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Grant Information: 2021YFD1300300 National Key Research and Development Program of China
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaf extract; colonic barrier; oxidative stress; piglets; short‐chain fatty acids
Substance Nomenclature: 0 (Plant Extracts)
0 (Lipopolysaccharides)
0 (Toll-Like Receptor 4)
0 (Antioxidants)
0 (NF-E2-Related Factor 2)
0 (Fatty Acids, Volatile)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260511 Date Completed: 20260708 Latest Revision: 20260708
Update Code: 20260709
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.70713
PMID: 42108531
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1097-0010
DOI:10.1002/jsfa.70713