Traditional Chinese medicine is an emerging area of scientific interest due to concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To explore the effects of three different Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas (TCHMFs) on weaning yaks, 24 yaks in the weaning period with similar physical conditions were randomly divided into four groups (n=6) with one control group and three TCHMFs diet groups (TCHMF1, 2, and 3). Three TCHMFs were added to the diet for one month, and blood and fecal samples were collected every 15 days. Results showed that the TCHMFs diet increased levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, the TCHMFs diet decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10. Concerning the gut microbiota, the addition of TCHMFs to the diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased microbial diversity and richness and improved microbial stability. The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria increased while Bacteroidetes decreased, and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes increased in the experiment groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The abundance of genera such as 5-7N15, Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Prevotella, etc. was significantly reduced, while the abundance of Clostridium, Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Anaerostipes, etc. was increased in the experimental groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), concluding that supplementing TCHMFs along with normal diet proved beneficial by decreasing inflammatory cytokines (stimulation intestinal immunity) and increasing the antioxidant enzymes levels, and optimizing the gut microbiota in weaned yaks.

To Cite This Article: Zhu Y, Lu S, Cidan Y, Ali M, Zhang X, Pubu P, Kiani FA, Saleem MU, Basang W, Li K, 2025. Protective Effects of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas (TCHMFs) Via Influencing Anti-Oxidative Capacity, Inflammatory Mediators, and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Yaks. Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2025.114