Influence of Lonicera japonica and Radix Puerariae crude extracts on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunological functions of finishing pigs

•It was discovered for the first time that L. japonica crude extract and Radix Puerariae crude extract can improve the performance of finishing pigs.•L. japonica crude extract had a strong effect on serum antioxidant capacity of finishing pigs.•L. japonica crude extract and Radix Puerariae crude extract reduced the production of pro-inflammatory factors in finishing pigs. This study aimed to investigate the influence of adding Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) and Radix Puerariae crude extracts, and their mixture to the diet of finishing pigs on their growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunological functions. A total of 72 healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred barrows without significant differences in body weight were selected and randomly divided into four groups (18 in each group). The groups were fed with the following diets: control group, basic diet; L. japonica crude extract (CGA) group, basic diet + 1 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract; Radix Puerariae crude extract (PF) group, basic diet + 1 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract; and mix group, basic diet + 0.5 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract + 0.5 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract. The following results were obtained: 1) The average daily feed intake in the mix group significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P