Flavonoids from mulberry leaves inhibit fat production and improve fatty acid distribution in adipose tissue in finishing pigs

This study evaluated the effects of flavonoids from mulberry leaves (FML) on plasma biochemical indices, serum activities of lipid metabolism-related enzymes, fat morphology, fatty acid composition, and lipid metabolism in different adipose tissues of finishing pigs. We used 120 Chinese hybrid barrows of Berkshire and Bama mini-pigs with an average initial body weight of 45.11 ± 4.23 kg. The pigs were randomly assigned to five treatment groups and fed a control diet based on corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran or a control diet supplemented with 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.08%, or 0.16% FML. Each experimental group had six replicates (pens), with four pigs per pen. After a 7-d adaptation period, the feeding trial was conducted for 58 d. Blood and adipose tissue samples were collected from 30 pigs (one pig per pen) at the end of the test. The results showed that FML supplementation significantly decreased the feed intake to body gain ratio, the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and free fatty acids, and the serum activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (linear or quadratic effects, P