The Combination of Chinese Medicine Monomers Reduces 7S Globulin-Induced Damage to IPEC-J2 Cells In Vitro by Modulating NF-κB/MAPK Pathway-Related Markers

Abstract

Simple Summary Soybean 7S globulin, also known as β-conglycinin, is a major dietary storage protein that frequently causes severe diarrhea in weaned piglets, leading to compromised intestinal epithelial damage, acute inflammatory responses, and impaired nutrient absorption. To identify a safe, highly effective, and antibiotic-free intervention, this study systematically evaluated various optimized combinations of four bioactive phytochemicals derived from traditional Chinese medicine—Eleutheroside E, Anemoside B4, Forsythoside A, and Esculin. Our results identified an optimal formulation in which these four monomers, combined at specific ratios, effectively protected porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) against 7S globulin-induced injury in vitro. This combination attenuated inflammatory and oxidative responses, improved cell viability, and upregulated tight-junction-related mRNA expression in vitro. These effects were associated with changes in NF-κB/MAPK pathway-related markers. These findings provide preliminary in vitro evidence that this optimized natural compound blend may be a potential dietary additive candidate for further evaluation in piglet models.