Herbal extract as a functional ingredient in canine health

Herbal extracts have gained popularity for their functional properties due to their phenolic compounds and phytochemicals. Humans have a long history of utilizing these herbal extracts and their phytochemicals for their medicinal properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and digestive health promoting effects. The objective of this studywas to determine the effects of different inclusion rates of an herbal extract mixture (cinnamon, tea, and pomegranate hydrogenated vegetable oil) on blood chemistry, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of macronutrients and fecal metabolites, microbiota, and biomarkers in adult canines. This study used a complete randomized design with 32 adult dogs fed a complete and balanced chicken and rice diet formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of adult canines (AAFCO, 2023) containing different inclusion rates of the herbal extract mixture: Control (0 ppm), Diet 1 (100 ppm), Diet 2 (200 ppm), Diet 3 (400 ppm). The total experimental period was 56 days, with the first 7 days as diet adaptation to the Control diet prior to baseline collections. Total fecal collection was performed on days 10-14 and days 31-35, while fresh fecal samples were collected on days 0, 14, 21, 35, and 49. An antibiotic challenge was performed on days 14-21. Food was given once per day to maintain body weight and body condition score. A quadratic effect was observed for ATTD of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total dietary fiber (TDF), and gross energy (GE). Dogs fed Diet 1 had the highest digestibility of DM, OM, TDF, and GE (P< 0.03) compared with other treatments before the antibiotic challenge. In addition, Diet 1 and Diet 2 had the highest OM and TDF digestibility (P< 0.009) compared with other treatments considering pre- and post-antibiotic challenge measurements. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration differed among treatment and day (P=0.0025), with the highest in the Control treatment on day 49 and lowest in the Control treatment on day 0. Complete blood count showed a significant interaction between treatment and day (P=0.0205) for lymphocyte percent with the Control treatment on day 21 having the highest and the Control treatment on day 35 and Diet 2 on day 0 having the lowest concentrations. Fecal score and pH did not differ among treatment groups (P >0.05). However, fecal metabolites differed among treatments. Indole was highest in the Control treatment (P=0.0047) with a linear contrast (P=0.0437), and 7-Methylindole and total indole was highest in Diet 1 (P< 0.05). There was also a quadratic effect of isovalerate (P=0.0373). Fecal calprotectin (calp) and IgA concentrations had a linear negative slope to increasing levels of herbal extract (P< 0.05). Alpha and beta-diversity (q<0.05), as well the abundance of Fusobacteriaceae, Selenomonadaceae, Fusobacterium, Holdemanella, and Blautia glucerasea in the fecal microbiota (P< 0.05), decreased in response to the antibiotic challenge (P< 0.05). Diet 1 had a higher relative abundance of Fusobacteriota, Fusobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, NA.4 (Bacteroides), NA.7 (Alloprevotella), and NA.12 (Bifidobacterium) compared with Diet 2, indicating a possible dose response to the herbal extract (P<0.05). A main significant treatment effect was observed for tight junction protein concentration. Claudin 3 concentration (ng/g) was significantly lower (P=0.0372) in Diet 2 compared with Diet 1. Claudin 7 concentration (ng/g) was significantly lower (P=0.0449) in Diet 2 compared with the Control and Diet 1. In conclusion, this herbal extract mixture was well tolerated and accepted by dogs and had positive effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal metabolite concentrations, particularly at inclusion levels at 100 and 200 ppm.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nutritional Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Mettler, Carlie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cattai de Godoy, Maria
• Oba, Patricia
• Loman, Brett
• Fahey, George

• Plant Extract
• Dog
• Gut Health

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Carlie Mettler

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130222

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F130222