Perilla frutescens seeds enhance lamb immunity and antioxidant capacity via the microbiota-gut-liver-muscle axis

Sep 29, 2026

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Perilla frutescens seeds (PFS) are studied as a natural alternative to antibiotics in livestock, with focus on how they modulate host immune function and antioxidant capacity through the microbiota-gut-liver-muscle axis. Using an integrative multi-omics design, the work links changes in rumen and intestinal microbiota to liver transcriptomic and metabolomic shifts. PFS supplementation improves immune and antioxidant serum markers while reducing inflammatory and lipid peroxidation indicators.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

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Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

Background

Yu et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology [https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01317-3](https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01317-3) (2026) 17:1 Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology RESEARCH Open Access Perilla frutescens seeds enhance lamb immunity and antioxidant capacity via the microbiota-gut-liver-muscle axis Yue Yu1†, Boyan Zhang1†, Xianzhe Jiang1, Yimeng Cui1, Yuqing Shang1,2, Yanqin Jin1,2, Tiancheng Sun 1, Ziwei Yuan1, Zihan Zhang1, Hailing Luo1,2, Sokratis Stergiadis3 and Bing Wang1,2* Abstract Background Perilla frutescens seeds (PFS) are gaining recognition as a natural alternative to antibiotics in livestock, supporting sustainable farming and animal health. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms through which PFS influence host immune function and antioxidant capacity, especially via the gut-liver-muscle axis, remain largely unknown. This study employed an integrative multi-omics approach to elucidate how PFS supplementation modulates the microbiota-gut-liver-muscle axis and enhances immune and antioxidant functions in lambs. Results PFS supplementation markedly improved immune and antioxidant profiles, demonstrated by elevated serum levels of IL-10, IgM, IgG, GSH-PX, and SOD, and reductions in IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA. Microbial analysis revealed elevated abundances of ruminal and intestinal taxa commonly associated with gut homeostasis and metabolic health (Christensenellaceae_R-7_group) and reduced levels of species with pathogenic or pro-inflammatory potential (Bacillus cereus and Clostridioides) in the ileum. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling of liver tissue indicated modulation of key inflammatory and bile acid signaling pathways, including the downregulation of TLR4, NLRP3, ATF3, CYP2J2, and LXR-α . PFS also increased hepatic concentrations of anti-inflammatory metabolites such as chlorquinaldoland indole-3-carboxaldehyde, while reducing levels of LysoPC(20:4) and phosphatidic acid. Correlation and mediation analyses revealed strong interconnections among gut microbiota, hepatic gene expression, lipid metabolites in liver and muscle, and systemic immune-antioxidant markers. Conclusion These findings highlight the microbiota-gut-liver-muscle axis as a central mechanism through which PFS enhances immune function and antioxidant capacity in lambs. PFS supplementation represents a promising nutritional strategy to improve healthy lamb production, supporting the development of antibiotic-free and sustainable livestock systems. Keywords Gut microbiota, Immunomodulatory, Lamb, Liver, Metabolome †Yue Yu and Boyan Zhang contributed equally to this work. *Correspondence: Bing Wang [wangb@cau.edu.cn](wangb@cau.edu.cn) Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2026. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver ()[. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver ()[http://creativecom](http://creativecom)[mons.org/publicdomain

FAQs

What problem does the study address about Perilla frutescens seeds (PFS)?

It examines how PFS influence immune function and antioxidant capacity, particularly through the microbiota-gut-liver-muscle axis, where underlying molecular mechanisms were previously unclear.

Which immune and antioxidant changes were reported after PFS supplementation?

PFS increased serum IL-10, IgM, IgG, GSH-PX, and SOD, and reduced IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA.

How did the study connect gut microbiota with liver and systemic immune-antioxidant markers?

Correlation and mediation analyses showed strong interconnections among gut microbiota, hepatic gene expression, liver lipid metabolites, muscle-associated metabolites, and systemic immune-antioxidant indicators.

Sep 29, 2026

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