Chinese herbal medicine feed additive for piglets and preparation method of Chinese herbal medicine feed additive

Abstract

The invention provides a Chinese herbal medicine feed additive for piglets and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of Chinese herbal medicine feed additives. The Chinese herbal medicine feed additive is prepared from Chinese knotweed herb, cortex ailanthi, kapok, pyrrosia lingua, syzygium jambos, oroxylum indicum, fructus rosae laevigatae, bighead atractylodes rhizome, Chinese yam, fructus evodiae, alpinia katsumadai and radix aucklandiae, and has the effects of clearing heat and eliminating dampness, relieving diarrhea with astringents, tonifying spleen and warming middle-jiao, and regulating qi and harmonizing stomach. The traditional Chinese medicine composition has good treatment and improvement effects on piglet epidemic diarrhea and post-weaning stress diarrhea in a large-scale pig farm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of traditional Chinese medicine feed additives, specifically to a traditional Chinese medicine feed additive for piglets and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Diarrhea in piglets is a common problem in the pig farming industry, especially in the period after weaning. Due to changes in the growth environment and the incomplete development of the digestive system, the incidence of diarrhea in piglets increases significantly. Diarrhea in piglets can directly affect the survival rate, reduce the production performance of sick pigs, and increase the mortality rate. Antibiotics are widely used in feed to treat diarrhea in piglets because of their small dosage and good efficacy. However, with increasing reports of superbugs, the threat to food safety, health, and the ecological environment is growing. People's demand for meat is gradually shifting from quantity to quality. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China has banned the production, import, sale, and use of growth-promoting antibiotics in Announcements No. 194 and No. 246.

[0003] Traditional Chinese medicine feed additives are feed additives made from traditional Chinese medicine. They combine the pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine with the functional characteristics of feed additives. By adding a small amount of traditional Chinese medicine to the feed, they can improve the nutritional metabolism of animals, enhance their immunity, and improve their production performance. They are characterized by no toxic side effects, no drug resistance, and no drug residues, providing a new approach to the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in piglets. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention, guided by the basic theories of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine and combined with the physiological characteristics of weaned piglets, provides a traditional Chinese herbal feed additive for treating or improving piglet diarrhea, along with its preparation method, based on syndrome differentiation and treatment principles.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] This invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine feed additive for piglets, which is made from the following traditional Chinese medicine raw materials in parts by weight: 5-25 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 5-25 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 5-25 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 5-25 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 5-25 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 5-25 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 5-25 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 5-25 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 5-25 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 5-25 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 5-25 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 5-25 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0009] Furthermore, the feed additive is made from the following Chinese medicinal materials in parts by weight: 10-20 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 10-20 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10-20 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 5-15 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 5-15 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 5-15 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 10-20 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 10-20 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 10-20 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 5-15 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 5-15 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 5-15 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0010] Furthermore, the feed additive is made from the following Chinese medicinal materials in parts by weight: 16 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 14 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10 parts of *Bombax ceiba*, 8 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 8 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 6 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 10 parts of *Rosa laevigata*, 12 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 12 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 6 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 6 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 8 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0011] This invention also provides a method for preparing a traditional Chinese medicine feed additive for piglets, characterized in that the feed additive is prepared according to the following steps:

[0012] (1) Weigh each raw material according to the above weight proportions, wash and dry them, pulverize them to a particle size of 60-80 mesh, mix them evenly, and then obtain a Chinese medicine mixed powder for later use. Citric acid.

[0013] (2) Mix the Chinese herbal medicine powder with purified water at a mass ratio of 1:6-8, soak for more than 30 minutes, then raise the temperature to 85-95℃, and then keep it warm for 1.5-2 hours. After the warming is completed, collect the first Chinese herbal medicine extract, retain the filter residue, and set it aside for later use.

[0014] (3) Mix the filter residue with purified water at a mass ratio of 1:4-6, heat it again to 85-95℃, and then keep it warm for 1-1.5h. After the warming is completed, collect the second Chinese medicine extract.

[0015] (4) Combine the two filtrates and filter them through a 100-120 mesh sieve to remove residual dregs and obtain a clear Chinese herbal extract; (5) Transfer the clear Chinese herbal extract into a vacuum concentrator, control the vacuum degree to -0.08 to -0.09 MPa and the temperature to 60-65℃, and concentrate it to a thick Chinese herbal paste with a relative density of 1.15-1.20.

[0016] (6) Cool the Chinese medicine paste to below 40°C, then add whey powder (8-12% by weight of the Chinese medicine paste), sucrose (3-6%), sodium glutamate (0.1-0.2%), and citric acid (0.05-0.1%) in sequence, stirring for more than 15 minutes until the excipients are completely dissolved to form a uniform paste mixture.

[0017] (7) Add 8-12% defatted rice bran and 4-6% corn starch by weight to the paste mixture, and continue stirring for 20 minutes to form a soft material that is neither too dry nor too wet and can be formed into a ball by hand without falling apart.

[0018] (8) Place the soft material into a swing pellet mill to make wet pellets with a particle size of 1.5-2mm; then dry the wet pellets at 55-60℃ for 2-3 hours until the moisture content of the pellets is less than 8%, and the herbal feed additive is obtained.

[0019] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0020] In traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, diarrhea in piglets is closely related to spleen deficiency and dampness, and intestinal instability. It is often induced by factors such as a damp feeding environment, improper feed, and deficiency of vital energy, leading to impaired spleen function, internal retention of dampness, and inability to separate clear and turbid fluids, ultimately resulting in diarrhea. Based on these etiologies and pathogenesis, and following the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment, a traditional Chinese herbal feed additive was prepared using ingredients such as *Polygonum chinense*, *Toona sinensis* bark, *Bombax ceiba* flower, *Pyrrosia lingua*, *Syzygium aromaticum*, *Oroxylum indicum*, *Rosa laevigata* fruit, *Atractylodes macrocephala*, *Dioscorea opposita*, *Evodia rutaecarpa*, *Amomum villosum*, and *Saussurea costus*.

[0021] The formula uses *Polygonum chinense* and *Toona sinensis* bark as the principal herbs. *Polygonum chinense* excels at clearing heat and dampness, cooling blood and detoxifying. It can clear damp-heat in the intestines to stop diarrhea, and also take into account the mild blood heat symptoms that piglets may experience due to prolonged diarrhea. Moreover, its medicinal properties are mild and will not easily damage the delicate spleen and stomach of piglets. *Toona sinensis* bark has the core effects of clearing heat and drying dampness, and astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea. Its astringent properties can consolidate the intestines and form a "clearing and astringing" effect with the "clearing and draining" effect of *Polygonum chinense*. It can clear the damp-heat evil in the intestines and prevent excessive diarrhea from depleting the body's vital energy. The combination of the two directly targets the core pathogenesis of "damp-heat causing diarrhea and intestinal instability", laying the foundation for the entire formula to clear heat and stop diarrhea.

[0022] Other herbs used as adjuvants include kapok, oroxylum indicum, pyrrosia lingua, and syzygium var. chinensis. Oroxylum indicum has the effects of clearing heat and relieving sore throat, soothing the liver and stomach. Diarrhea in piglets is often accompanied by poor spleen and stomach function. Oroxylum indicum can improve abdominal distension and incomplete diarrhea caused by "dampness obstructing qi" by regulating the spleen and stomach function. At the same time, its heat-clearing properties can assist the principal medicine in clearing residual heat in the upper burner and prevent "damp heat rising" from causing other symptoms. Pyrrosia lingua is good at promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness, clearing the lungs and relieving cough. Its "diuretic" effect can reduce water retention in the intestines through the mechanism of "promoting urination to solidify stool", which indirectly enhances the antidiarrheal effect. At the same time, it also takes into account the cough caused by damp heat invading the lungs that may accompany diarrhea in piglets, reflecting the overall treatment approach. Syzygium aromaticum has the effects of promoting body fluid production and quenching thirst, astringing the intestines and stopping diarrhea, regulating qi and calming the fetus. It can assist the bark of Toona sinensis in strengthening the intestinal consolidation power. Moreover, its medicinal properties are mild and can neutralize some of the cold properties of the principal and assistant medicines, avoiding damage to the spleen and stomach yang qi of piglets. At the same time, its qi-regulating effect can improve abdominal distension accompanied by diarrhea, forming a synergistic effect with Oroxylum indicum. The four auxiliary herbs work together to assist the principal herb in four aspects: enhancing heat-clearing and dampness-removing effects, strengthening astringency and consolidation, regulating qi, and addressing concurrent symptoms. Furthermore, through the harmonization of their medicinal properties, they lay the foundation for the subsequent adjuvant herbs to play their role.

[0023] Then, use Rosa laevigata, Atractylodes macrocephala, Dioscorea opposita, Evodia rutaecarpa, and Amomum villosum as adjuvant herbs. The core effects of Rosa laevigata are to consolidate essence and reduce urination, stop uterine bleeding and leukorrhea, and astringe the intestines to stop diarrhea. It is particularly effective for piglets suffering from prolonged diarrhea and depletion of vital energy, leading to incontinence. Combined with the astringent herbs in the principal and assistant herbs, it forms a step-by-step astringent effect, further enhancing the intestines' ability to retain fluids and preventing prolonged diarrhea. Atractylodes macrocephala is considered the primary herb for strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi. It not only strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi to enhance its digestive function (a healthy spleen naturally eliminates dampness), but also dries dampness and promotes urination. Combined with the clearing and draining effects of the principal and assistant herbs, it addresses both the root cause and the symptoms of diarrhea. Dioscorea opposita nourishes the spleen and stomach, generates fluids and benefits the lungs, and tonifies the kidneys and astringes essence. It can assist Atractylodes macrocephala in strengthening the spleen. Simultaneously, it addresses the spleen and lung qi deficiency caused by prolonged diarrhea in piglets by tonifying the spleen and lungs to consolidate vital energy. Its kidney-tonifying effect also addresses chronic diarrhea caused by spleen and kidney yang deficiency, embodying the traditional Chinese veterinary medicine theory of nourishing the earth to generate metal and simultaneously tonifying the spleen and kidneys. Rosa laevigata, Atractylodes macrocephala, Yam serves as an adjuvant, enhancing the overall astringent and spleen-strengthening effects of the formula. While the principal and assistant herbs are mostly cooling or cold in nature, which can clear heat and promote diuresis, piglets have delicate spleens and stomachs. Long-term or excessive use of cooling herbs can easily damage the spleen and stomach's yang energy, worsening diarrhea. Therefore, Evodia rutaecarpa and Amomum villosum, two warm herbs, are used to counteract the cooling properties and warm and dispel dampness. Evodia rutaecarpa is warm in nature, capable of dispelling cold, relieving pain, suppressing nausea and vomiting, and tonifying yang to stop diarrhea. It can counteract the cooling properties of the principal and assistant herbs, preventing damage to the spleen and stomach's yang energy. Simultaneously, it synergizes with the kidney-tonifying effect of yam to achieve the goal of warming the kidneys and strengthening the spleen. Amomum villosum is warm in nature, adept at drying dampness, promoting qi circulation, warming the middle jiao, and stopping vomiting. It can assist the principal and assistant herbs in clearing dampness from the intestines and balance their cooling properties. Furthermore, it synergizes with Evodia rutaecarpa to improve the symptoms of stomach cold and vomiting accompanying diarrhea in piglets, helping to restore spleen and stomach function.

[0024] Finally, costus root is used as the guiding herb. Costus root is warm in nature and pungent and bitter in taste. Its functions are to promote qi circulation and relieve pain, regulate the middle jiao and guide stagnation. It is the general herb for regulating qi, and it is good at moving the stagnant qi in the large intestine. It guides the herbs to the meridians and harmonizes the herbs, so that the whole formula is nourishing without causing stagnation, astringent without causing blood stasis, clearing heat without causing coldness and stagnation, and warming the middle jiao without causing heat. It harmonizes the cold, hot and warm properties of the herbs, so that the qi and blood of the whole formula are in harmony and form a unified whole.

[0025] The herbal feed additive prepared by this invention has the effects of clearing heat and removing dampness, astringing the intestines and stopping diarrhea, strengthening the spleen and warming the middle jiao, regulating qi and harmonizing the stomach. It has a good therapeutic and ameliorative effect on epidemic diarrhea and post-weaning stress diarrhea in piglets in large-scale pig farms. Specifically, it is reflected in the following points:

[0026] 1. The herbal feed additive of this invention has a promoting effect on the growth performance of weaned piglets.

[0027] 2. The herbal feed additive of this invention can effectively reduce the occurrence of diarrhea in weaned piglets, improve the symptoms of diarrhea in weaned piglets, and greatly reduce the mortality caused by diarrhea.

[0028] 3. The herbal feed additive of this invention has a good therapeutic effect on epidemic diarrhea in piglets, can significantly reduce mortality, and has a significant promoting effect on the growth performance of piglets with epidemic diarrhea. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] A traditional Chinese medicine feed additive for piglets, the feed additive being made from the following traditional Chinese medicine raw materials in parts by weight: 16 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 14 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 8 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 8 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 6 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 10 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 12 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 12 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 6 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 6 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 8 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0032] The feed additive is prepared according to the following steps:

[0033] (1) Weigh each raw material according to the above weight proportions, wash and dry them, pulverize them to a particle size of 60-80 mesh, mix them evenly, and then obtain a Chinese medicine mixed powder for later use. Citric acid.

[0034] (2) Mix the Chinese herbal medicine powder with purified water at a mass ratio of 1:6-8, soak for more than 30 minutes, then raise the temperature to 85-95℃, and then keep it warm for 1.5-2 hours. After the warming is completed, collect the first Chinese herbal medicine extract, retain the filter residue, and set it aside for later use.

[0035] (3) Mix the filter residue with purified water at a mass ratio of 1:4-6, heat it again to 85-95℃, and then keep it warm for 1-1.5h. After the warming is completed, collect the second Chinese medicine extract.

[0036] (4) Combine the two filtrates and filter them through a 100-120 mesh sieve to remove residual dregs and obtain a clear Chinese herbal extract; (5) Transfer the clear Chinese herbal extract into a vacuum concentrator, control the vacuum degree to -0.08 to -0.09 MPa and the temperature to 60-65℃, and concentrate it to a thick Chinese herbal paste with a relative density of 1.15-1.20.

[0037] (6) Cool the Chinese medicine paste to below 40°C, then add whey powder (8% by weight of the Chinese medicine paste), sucrose (3% by weight), sodium glutamate (0.1% by weight), and citric acid (0.05% by weight) in sequence, and stir for more than 15 minutes until the excipients are completely dissolved to form a uniform paste mixture.

[0038] (7) Add 8% defatted rice bran and 4% corn starch by weight to the paste mixture, and continue stirring for 20 minutes to form a soft material that is neither too dry nor too wet and can be formed into a ball by hand without falling apart.

[0039] (8) Place the soft material into a swing pellet mill to make wet pellets with a particle size of 1.5-2mm; then dry the wet pellets at 55-60℃ for 2-3 hours until the moisture content of the pellets is less than 8%, and the herbal feed additive is obtained.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the feed additive is made from the following parts by weight of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials: 8 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 8 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 6 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 6 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 6 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 6 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 8 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 8 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 8 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 6 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 6 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 6 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the feed additive is made from the following parts by weight of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials: 22 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 20 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 18 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 16 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 14 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 12 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 12 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 20 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 20 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 16 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 16 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 16 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0044] Example 4

[0045] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the feed additive is made from the following parts by weight of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials: 24 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 22 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 20 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 20 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 20 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 16 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 14 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 22 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 22 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 16 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 18 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 16 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0046] Example 5

[0047] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the feed additive is made from the following parts by weight of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials: 10 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 10 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 5 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 5 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 5 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 10 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 10 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 10 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 5 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 5 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 5 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0048] Example 6

[0049] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the feed additive is made from the following parts by weight of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials: 20 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 20 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 20 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 15 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 15 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 15 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 20 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 20 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 20 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 15 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 15 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 15 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0050] Example 7

[0051] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the feed additive is made from the following parts by weight of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials: 14 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 12 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 6 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 6 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 8 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 14 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 16 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 12 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 5 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 6 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 8 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

[0052] Experimental Example 1

[0053] The herbal feed additive of this invention has preventive and ameliorative effects on diarrhea in weaned piglets.

[0054] 1. Materials and Methods

[0055] 1.1 Experimental Animals and Experimental Design

[0056] One hundred and thirty-five healthy weaned piglets of similar parity and weight, approximately 28 days old, were selected and randomly divided into three groups of equal numbers of males and females, with three replicates in each group and fifteen piglets in each replicate. Grouping and treatment details are shown in Table 1. The experimental period was 28 days.

[0057] Table 1. Experimental Groups and Treatments

[0058]

[0059]

[0060] Note: The basic feed is a complete daily ration specifically for weaned piglets.

[0061] During the experiment, all groups of experimental piglets had free access to feed and water, and were vaccinated according to the routine immunization program. Other feeding and management measures were carried out according to the pig farm's routine procedures. The pig pens were kept well-lit and ventilated, with a temperature of 20-25℃ and a relative humidity of 60-70%, and were cleaned and disinfected regularly.

[0062] 1.2 Measurement Indicators and Methods

[0063] 1.2.1 Growth performance indicators

[0064] The feed intake of experimental piglets was recorded. They were weighed on an empty stomach on the morning of day 0 and day 28 of the experiment. Growth performance indicators such as average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (F:G) were then calculated. At the end of the experiment, the mortality rate of piglets in each group was recorded and calculated.

[0065] Mortality rate (%) = Number of deaths / Total number of animals raised × 100%

[0066] 1.2.2 Diarrhea rate

[0067] Carefully observe the piglets' feces during a fixed time each morning and score them (per replicate). Take photos for record-keeping. The scoring sheet is shown in Table 2. Calculate the diarrhea rate and diarrhea index. One day of diarrhea in each piglet is considered one episode of diarrhea.

[0068] Diarrhea rate = Number of piglets with diarrhea / (Number of piglets × Number of days in the experiment) × 100%

[0069] Diarrhea Index = Sum of diarrhea scores of all piglets during the trial period / (Number of trial days × Number of piglets) × 100% Table 2: Fecal Scoring Standards

[0070] Points (points) Scoring Criteria Initial water content of feces / % Severity of diarrhea 3 The liquid is not formed, and there is separation of fecal matter and water. ＞80 serious 2 The mixture is thick and does not form a solid mass; there is no separation of fecal matter and water. 75-80 moderate 1 Soft stool, formed 70-75 Mild 0 Strips or granules ＜70 normal

[0071] 1.3 Statistics and Analysis

[0072] One-way ANOVA was performed using Graph Pad Prism 8. A t-test was used to compare the two groups. Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation; P < 0.05 indicated a significant difference, and P < 0.01 indicated an extremely significant difference.

[0073] 2 Results

[0074] 2.1 Effects of the herbal feed additive of this invention on the growth performance of weaned piglets

[0075] As shown in Table 3, compared with the control group, the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake of weaned piglets in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the feed conversion ratio was significantly decreased (P<0.05). This result indicates that the herbal feed additive of the present invention has a promoting effect on the growth performance of weaned piglets.

[0076] Table 3. Growth performance indicators of weaned piglets in each group.

[0077] project control group Experiment 1 group Experimental Group 2 ADG (g / head·d) 346.47±36.41 387.14±27.44* 401.39±34.16* ADFI (g / head·d) 473.63±40.36 506.44±34.11* 501.36±39.64* Material weight ratio 1.37±0.03 1.31±0.04* 1.25±0.03**

[0078] Note: For peer data, compared with the control group, *P<0.05, **P<0.01, and the same applies below.

[0079] 2.2 Effects of the herbal feed additive of this invention on diarrhea in weaned piglets

[0080] Table 4 shows that the diarrhea rate of weaned piglets in the control group reached 17.14%, the mortality rate reached 13.33%, and the diarrhea index was 35.87%. Compared with the control group, the diarrhea rate, diarrhea index, and mortality rate of experimental groups 1 and 2 were significantly reduced, with highly significant differences (P<0.01). These results indicate that the herbal feed additive of this invention can effectively reduce the occurrence of diarrhea in weaned piglets, improve diarrhea symptoms, and greatly reduce mortality caused by diarrhea.

[0081] Table 4. Results of diarrhea rate and diarrhea index in piglets of each experimental group.

[0082] project control group Experiment 1 group Experimental Group 2 Diarrhea rate (%) 17.14±1.25 5.64±0.50** 3.33±0.48** Diarrhea index (%) 35.87±2.02 9.60±1.59** 4.76±1.33** mortality rate / % 13.33±6.67 4.44±3.85** 2.22±3.85**

[0083] Experimental Example 2

[0084] The therapeutic effect of the herbal feed additive of this invention on epidemic diarrhea in piglets

[0085] 1. Experimental piglets and grouping

[0086] One hundred suckling piglets aged 15-17 days diagnosed with porcine epidemic diarrhea based on clinical symptoms, pathological changes, and laboratory diagnosis were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control group, positive control group, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2, with 25 piglets in each group.

[0087] 2. Experimental Methods

[0088] Positive control group: Ribavirin injection (50 mg / kg) and gentamicin sulfate injection (0.2 mg / kg) were administered intramuscularly twice daily for 5 consecutive days.

[0089] Experiment 1: The feed additive prepared in Example 1 was added to 50 mL of artificial milk at a dose of 50 mg / kg and administered orally.

[0090] Experiment 2: The feed additive prepared in Example 1 was added to 50 mL of artificial milk at a dose of 100 mg / kg and administered orally.

[0091] Control group: No drug treatment was given, and the same amount of artificial milk was administered orally.

[0092] All other feeding methods are the same across all groups.

[0093] 3. Growth performance determination

[0094] Before and after drug administration, the piglets in each group were weighed. During the experiment, the feed intake of the piglets in each group was recorded and the average daily weight gain was calculated.

[0095] 4. Efficacy assessment

[0096] Significant effect: diarrhea disappears, diet returns to normal, stool becomes soft and firm, and odor and color are normal;

[0097] Effective: Diarrhea symptoms lessened, appetite returned to normal, and stool symptoms improved;

[0098] Ineffective: Diarrhea does not improve or even worsens, appetite does not return or continues to decrease, stools are still mainly loose, or the condition is severe enough to cause death.

[0099] Overall effectiveness rate = (Number of significant effective cases + Number of effective cases) / Total number of cases × 100%

[0100] 5. Statistics and Analysis

[0101] One-way ANOVA was performed using Graph Pad Prism 8. Quantitative data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and t-tests were used for comparisons between two groups. Categorical data were expressed as percentages (%), and chi-square tests were used for comparisons between groups. 2 The test showed that P < 0.05 was statistically significant.

[0102] 6 Results

[0103] 6.1 The therapeutic effect of the herbal feed additive of this invention on epidemic diarrhea in piglets

[0104] Table 5 shows that the mortality rate of piglets infected with epidemic diarrhea can be as high as 64%. After treatment, the mortality rates of the positive control group and experimental groups 1-2 decreased significantly, with no pigs dying in experimental groups 1 and 2. The total effective rates of experimental groups 1 and 2 were both above 90%, and the significant effective rates of experimental groups 1 and 2 reached 48% and 64% respectively, significantly higher than those of the positive control group. These results indicate that the herbal feed additive of this invention has a good therapeutic effect on epidemic diarrhea in piglets and can significantly reduce the mortality rate.

[0105] Table 5 Comparison of therapeutic effects in different groups of piglets [n(%)]

[0106]

[0107]

[0108] 6.2 Effects of the herbal feed additive of this invention on the growth performance of piglets with epidemic diarrhea

[0109] Table 6 shows that the weight of the sick piglets in the control group did not increase, and even decreased. Compared with the control group, the weight of piglets in the positive control group and experimental groups 1-2 all increased, with the average daily weight gain of piglets in experimental groups 1 and 2 being significantly higher than that of the positive control group. These results indicate that the herbal feed additive of this invention has a significant promoting effect on the growth performance of piglets with epidemic diarrhea.

[0110] Table 6 Comparison of growth performance indicators of piglets in each group of experiments.

[0111] project control group Positive control group Experiment 1 group Experimental Group 2 ADG (g / head·d) <![CDATA[-8.49±1.36 a ]]> <![CDATA[36.48±5.16 b ]]> <![CDATA[46.36±6.03 c ]]> <![CDATA[53.06±4.36 c ]]>

[0112] Note: Different lowercase letters at the end of numbers in the same column indicate significant differences between groups (P < 0.05).

[0113] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A traditional Chinese medicine feed additive for piglets, characterized in that, The feed additive is made from the following Chinese medicinal materials in parts by weight: 5-25 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 5-25 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 5-25 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 5-25 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 5-25 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 5-25 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 5-25 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 5-25 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 5-25 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 5-25 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 5-25 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 5-25 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

2. The herbal feed additive for piglets as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feed additive is made from the following Chinese medicinal materials in parts by weight: 10-20 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 10-20 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10-20 parts of *Bombax ceiba* flower, 5-15 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 5-15 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 5-15 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 10-20 parts of *Rosa laevigata* fruit, 10-20 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 10-20 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 5-15 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 5-15 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 5-15 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

3. The herbal feed additive for piglets as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feed additive is made from the following Chinese medicinal materials in parts by weight: 16 parts of *Polygonum chinense*, 14 parts of *Toona sinensis* bark, 10 parts of *Bombax ceiba*, 8 parts of *Pyrrosia lingua*, 8 parts of *Syzygium aromaticum*, 6 parts of *Oroxylum indicum*, 10 parts of *Rosa laevigata*, 12 parts of *Atractylodes macrocephala*, 12 parts of *Dioscorea opposita*, 6 parts of *Evodia rutaecarpa*, 6 parts of *Amomum villosum*, and 8 parts of *Saussurea costus*.

4. A method for preparing a traditional Chinese medicine feed additive for piglets as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The feed additive is prepared according to the following steps: (1) Weigh each raw material according to the above weight proportions, wash and dry them, pulverize them to a particle size of 60-80 mesh, mix them evenly, and then obtain a Chinese medicine mixed powder for later use. Citric acid. (2) Mix the Chinese herbal medicine powder with purified water at a mass ratio of 1:6-8, soak for more than 30 minutes, then raise the temperature to 85-95℃, and then keep it warm for 1.5-2 hours. After the warming is completed, collect the first Chinese herbal medicine extract, retain the filter residue, and set it aside for later use. (3) Mix the filter residue with purified water at a mass ratio of 1:4-6, heat it again to 85-95℃, and then keep it warm for 1-1.5h. After the warming is completed, collect the second Chinese medicine extract. (4) Combine the two filtrates and filter them through a 100-120 mesh sieve to remove residual medicinal residues, and obtain a clear Chinese herbal extract; (5) Transfer the clarified Chinese herbal extract into a vacuum concentration tank, control the vacuum degree to -0.08 to -0.09 MPa, the temperature to 60-65℃, and concentrate it to a thick Chinese herbal paste with a relative density of 1.15-1.20; (6) Cool the Chinese medicine paste to below 40°C, then add whey powder (8-12% by weight of the Chinese medicine paste), sucrose (3-6%), sodium glutamate (0.1-0.2%), and citric acid (0.05-0.1%) in sequence, stirring for more than 15 minutes until the excipients are completely dissolved to form a uniform paste mixture. (7) Add 8-12% defatted rice bran and 4-6% corn starch by weight to the paste mixture, and continue stirring for 20 minutes to form a soft material that is neither too dry nor too wet and can be formed into a ball by hand without falling apart. (8) Place the soft material into a swing pellet mill to make wet pellets with a particle size of 1.5-2mm; then dry the wet pellets at 55-60℃ for 2-3 hours until the moisture content of the pellets is less than 8%, and the herbal feed additive is obtained.

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