In vivo antioxidant potential of Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood extract in young growing pigs exposed to n-3 PUFA-induced oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Farm animals in intensive farming systems are frequently exposed to oxidative stress, which demands adequate antioxidant protection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of different concentrations of Sweet chestnut wood extract (SCW; 0.75, 1.5 and 3 g kg⁻¹) in case of n-3 PUFA-induced oxidative stress in young pigs. RESULTS: The highest concentration (3 g kg⁻¹) of SCW decreased malondialdehyde excretion in urine by 31.7%, but had no effect on plasma malondialdehyde. A linear trend towards decrease of urine isoprostanes iPF(2α)-VI was observed with the addition of SCW. All three concentrations of SCW efficiently protected blood lymphocytes from DNA damage and lowered plasma alanine aminotransferase levels. The antioxidative and antigenotoxic effect of 3 g SCW kg⁻¹ feed was comparable to the effect of 90.4 mg kg⁻¹ of added vitamin E. CONCLUSION: The results from this study show that, besides being known as antihelmintic, antimicrobial and antiviral agent, Sweet chestnut wood extract could also be considered as a promising natural antioxidant in animal nutrition.