Evaluation and analysis of the efficacy of four Chinese herbal medicines and formulations in preventing and treating Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection in chickens

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection causes chronic respiratory disease in poultry. Antimicrobial resistance necessitates alternative therapeutics, including traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Maxingshigan Decoction (MXSG), Modified Sheganmahuang Decoction (SGMH), Tea polyphenols (TP), and Bidens pilosa L. (BP) administered after established MG infection in chickens. 196 SPF chickens were challenged with MG at 10 days of age via intranasal, intraocular, and air sac injections, then treated for 5 days from Day 14. Seven groups (n=28) were evaluated: Blank control, Infection control, MXSG, SGMH, TP, BP, and Tylosin. Clinical symptoms, pathological lesions, and pathogen load were assessed from Day 1 to Day 21 post-treatment. Results indicate that MXSG demonstrated the most significant clinical symptom improvement by Day 21 ( P < 0.01). TP and BP achieved weight gains comparable to healthy controls ( P > 0.05), significantly exceeding MXSG, SGMH, and Tylosin ( P < 0.05). MXSG and TP significantly reduced air sac lesion scores by Day 14 ( P < 0.05), while Tylosin produced the greatest lung lesion reduction ( P < 0.01). For pathogen load, SGMH induced a highly significant reduction in tracheal MG load by Day 7 ( P < 0.01); MXSG and Tylosin achieved the most significant decreases by Day 14 ( P < 0.01); and by Day 21, MXSG exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect on both tracheal and pulmonary MG proliferation ( P < 0.01), followed by SGMH. No adverse effects were observed for any treatment. Collectively, MXSG and SGMH represent effective alternatives to Tylosin for MG infection treatment. TP and BP, while promoting superior growth recovery, showed moderate pathogen clearance, suggesting potential as complementary agents. This study elucidates the anti-MG effects mediated by MXSG and SGMH and lays the groundwork for future research aimed at improving the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of TP and BP formulations.