Herbal paw-sibilities: potential use and challenges of <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> and <i>Panax</i> species (ginseng) in diets intended for cats and dogs

Astragalus membranaceus roots, and other plant parts, may possess benefits for gut health, the immune system, and antioxidant status. Panax species (sp.) products, commonly known as ginseng, may contribute to physical performance, cognition, and overall metabolism. Standardization and characterization of herbal products are imperative to determine their safety and efficacy. Empirical studies in domestic dog and cat are necessary to validate the potential health benefits and determine the safety of A. membranaceus and Panax sp. products before introducing them into the diet of these species. Traditional Chinese herbs (TCH) have served as a fundamental component of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years within eastern Asian culture. These herbs have been utilized either individually or in combinations to prevent, treat, and even cure diseases, as well as reduce or eliminate disease symptoms (Liu et al., 2015). Practical use of TCH involves the application of principles such as yin–yang, exterior–interior, cold–heat, and deficiency–excess to diagnose an illness for which the prescription of specific herbs or herbal mixtures (fang ji) is the treatment. The use of TCH, however, is not solely restricted to botanical drugs. While some TCH are also commonly used simply as food condiments, the heightened awareness and emphasis on using food as a preventive measure against diseases and to provide health benefits have expanded the use of TCH. They are integrated into dietary supplements and included in whole foods as functional ingredients, and support specific biological structures and/or functions based on their phytochemical modes of action. Currently, there are more than a hundred herbs that are approved in China by the China Food and Drug Administration to be used in health food products with specific health claims permitted for use in health products (e.g., antioxidants, enhance immune function, stimulate digestion). The use of TCH has gained popularity in Western culture and is not unfamiliar to many people, although most may not realize that the herbs they consume are classified as TCH. For example, mint (Menta), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) are TCH commonly used as food condiments and can also be found over-the-counter as dietary supplements to support specific bodily functions. For instance, ginger in various forms (e.g., whole plant vs. roots) is available as a dietary supplement in different formats (e.g., tablets vs. capsules), often marketed with claims of supporting digestive health. Some other less popular TCH can also be found commercially available as human dietary supplements, such as Astragalus membranaceus roots and ginseng (Panax sp.), with a wide range of healthy claims associated with them (e.g., “overall wellbeing”, “immune support”, “digestive support”, “supports memory”, and “boost energy and performance”). The use of certain TCH, provided individually or as herbal mix, also sparked interest in the diet of livestock as feed additives, particularly as an antibiotic alternative in animal feed (Gong et al., 2014). On the other hand, the integration of TCH in the diets of dogs and cats has yet to gain substantial traction. While certain TCH that are more widely accepted in Western culture are occasionally found in commercial pet diets, and more recently the use of mushrooms (e.g., Reishi [Ganoderma lingzhi]) in dietary supplements for dogs and cats, more commonly used TCH are currently permitted as color additives, such as turmeric, or as spices and natural seasonings and flavorings, including basil, cassia, chives, fennel, paprika, peppermint, and oregano, in commercial pet food in the United States (AAFCO, 2024). Nonetheless, the potential functional benefits of some TCH that have not been explored for use in pet foods; despite the fact that pet owners seek similar benefits for their pets as they do for themselves. Additionally, the rising popularity of functional ingredients in the pet food industry, coupled with the projected growth of the pet nutraceuticals market surpassing 2.5 billion dollars from 2023 to 2029, reinforces the need to consider TCH within the pet industry (Figure 1; Mordor Intelligence, 2023). In this context, A. membranaceus and ginseng (Panax sp.), among various herbs, have received more extensive exploration as a dietary additive, as part of the diet matrix or as supplements, in livestock feed and human food. Consequently, reviewing the scientific literature regarding the use of these herbs may serve as the initial step in comprehending the potential health benefits of A. membranaceus and ginseng (Panax sp.), as well as their possible applications as dietary ingredients for dogs and cats. Thus, the aim of this manuscript is to discuss the health benefits and potential detrimental effects of A. membranaceus and ginseng (Panax sp.) that have been documented in the literature, as well as to discuss the challenges associated with their inclusion in the pet food industry and data needed prior to their widespread use for pets. Pet nutraceutical market size estimation for 2023 with a compound annual growth rate of 7.12% during the forecast period (2023 to 2029). Adapted from Mordor Intelligence (2023). Astragalus membranaceus, among the most prevalent Chinese herbs, is a perennial legume extensively cultivated in northern Korea, Siberia, and China. The plant predominantly consists of tall, hairy stems (ranging from 50 to 80 cm) with leaves and inflorescence. Traditionally, the dried root of A. membranaceus, also referred to as Astragali radix or huangqi, is used as a medicine and tonic food material (i.e., a substance capable of restoring and/or maintaining a physiological function). Once the aerial parts, fibrous roots, and impurities are removed, the root is dried and may undergo various extraction and purification processes to isolate its biologically active compounds. Polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, glycosides, alkaloids, organic compounds, and trace elements constitute the primary classes of chemical compounds present in A. membranaceus. Among these, the health-promoting benefits are largely linked to Astragalus polysaccharides, whose structural features and biological activities were extensively reviewed by Jin et al. (2014). In traditional Chinese medicine, A. membranaceus is recognized for its adaptogenic properties, described as inducing “a state of nonspecifically increased resistance” (Brekhman and Dardymov, 1969). This herb is employed in treating ailments attributed to ‘Qi-deficiency’ (vital energy depletion), often manifested through symptoms such as weakness, diarrhea, reduced appetite, fatigue, increased susceptibility to infections, and other indicators of compromised health. On the Western market, A. membranaceus is available as a food supplement in various forms including raw roots, teas, liquid extract, powders, and capsules, primarily aimed at bolstering immune system function (Wei, 2015). The use of A. membranaceus as a feed additive to replace antibiotics in animal production has been investigated and some studies have reported positive effects of A. membranaceus on feed efficiency, gut health, immune response, and antioxidant capacity in different species as discussed next (Figure 2). Illustration of the A. membranaceus plant highlighting the utilization of its dried root as a dietary supplement, showcasing the most prominent bioactive compounds and their potential health benefits. The concentration and activity of the bioactive compounds largely depend on the plant’s growth conditions, the form of which the product is prepared, and the extraction method utilized. Created with BioRender.com. The use of A. membranaceus as a feed additive for weaned piglets has been previously investigated due to the compromised digestive function of piglets; herein, when A. membranaceus stems and leaves (2,500 to 7,500 mg/kg diet) were fed for 28 dto newly weaned piglets a reduction in the frequency of diarrhea compared to the control treatment was observed (Adams et al., 2018). Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides have also been reported to improve digestive and absorptive function. Yin et al. (2009) observed an improvement in the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and greater serum concentrations in weaned piglets fed A. membranaceus polysaccharides (1,000 mg/kg diet). These results might due to an improvement in the integrity of the small intestine and a beneficial modulation of the microbiome in favor of digestion of dietary protein and absorption of amino acids. Indeed, an increase in jejunal villus height was observed in lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets fed with A. membranaceus polysaccharides (800 mg/kg diet) compared to lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets fed placebo (Wang et al., 2020). Additionally, the inclusion of A. membranaceus polysaccharides in the diet of chicks (220 mg/kg diet) resulted in a beneficial modulation of the microbiota in the digesta in the ileum and cecum (Li et al., 2009). The authors also reported a synergistic effect of A. membranaceus polysaccharides and probiotics, which may be an indication of its prebiotic effect. In young hens, A. membranaceus root (5,000 mg/kg diet) also impacts the fecal microbiome, likely due to greater fermentation in the large intestine (Qiao et al., 2018). Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides may be used as a substrate by the intestinal bacteria, leading to the benefits on gut health as reviewed by et al. the by which A. membranaceus as a potential of intestinal integrity and gut microbiota Astragalus membranaceus may also have an on metabolism. et al. observed a in and and and reduced when the dried root of A. membranaceus to mg/kg diet) was to fed a et al. observed a of when A. membranaceus roots were fed to with the effect at of diet the dried roots of A. membranaceus have been more widely the of A. membranaceus was also to concentrations of and diet et al., in the dietary A. membranaceus polysaccharides reduced intestinal absorption in concentrations of other bioactive compounds may also a in the modulation of metabolism. For example, from A. membranaceus are reported to be of the and which are that et al., Thus, dogs or in positive energy may from dietary of A. however, its effect on the and with dietary compounds has yet to be The antioxidant and of A. membranaceus have been previously et al. (2009) observed an improvement the of chicks fed A. membranaceus polysaccharides mg/kg for disease of and the of immune were greater compared to the control (e.g., and/or (e.g., were also reported in weaned piglets of A. membranaceus diet in et al. mg/kg of A. membranaceus in et al., fed products of A. membranaceus. was also observed when of A. membranaceus polysaccharides (800 mg/kg greater serum et al., and mg/kg concentrations of et al., were in diets of In of A. membranaceus polysaccharides mg/kg the immune et al., results are not as effect of A. membranaceus on immune function has been reported et al., This be attributed to the of A. membranaceus at in its and in is to consider that A. membranaceus may with other While et al. not an effect of A. membranaceus polysaccharides mg/kg diet) on and a of A. membranaceus polysaccharides and mg/kg diet and the need for extensive on and TCH in the diet of dogs and cats. which are in the of some diseases, are during however, some (e.g., increase their Thus, antioxidant are for the to an compounds present in A. membranaceus may possess antioxidant of A. membranaceus polysaccharides to mg/kg increased the activity of and and the concentrations of in of et al., Astragalus membranaceus root to 80 mg/kg also increased serum concentrations of in weaned et al., and (Wang et al., In dietary of A. membranaceus root (5,000 mg/kg diet) serum antioxidant et al., et al. observed of A. membranaceus polysaccharides mg/kg diet) and A. membranaceus root to mg/kg diet) on antioxidant in more is to the to biological to A. membranaceus before its to the diets of dogs and cats. While the potential biological activities of found in A. membranaceus have been is to that some of these compounds can have effects in For instance, have the potential to the activity of digestive such as and absorption in the and leading to and This may the of when A. membranaceus products were provided in to of et al., or the effect on feed These effects based on the and of and they can among species. This the need for studies to determine the inclusion for the specific product for the species is of that the biological depend on the of A. membranaceus, the extraction and the used to the For example, A. membranaceus root to size was more in the of specific in compared to et al., et al. reported that the of A. membranaceus root increased as its size from to greater with a A. membranaceus roots and their (e.g., A. membranaceus are more commonly the leaves and of A. membranaceus may also be as a health benefits. These from the are to as other of the plant (e.g., serve as the primary raw material for dietary et al. reported that leaves and from A. membranaceus more bioactive compounds, and antioxidant and activities compared to the to Astragalus effects were observed in fed the to dietary inclusion on beneficial effects on fermentation and et al., Thus, more studies are necessary to the dietary use of A. membranaceus they are a alternative that The studies in livestock species not effects of of A. membranaceus Astragalus membranaceus is by most have been with the most (Wei, 2015). are and depend on the extract, and of commercial product A. membranaceus and has been in by the Food on and Food et al., 2020). is to that different and of A. membranaceus used or in with other herbs may have different and specific product or be individually Some of the benefits of A. membranaceus in other species are commonly in the diets of dogs and cats. The potential polysaccharides of A. membranaceus and their on gut health, as well as their overall effect on are of their as in the pet food Additionally, A. membranaceus may support claims to the immune system, and its potential antioxidant may dogs and cats during the challenges they in their in more specific dog such as undergo by of the of from on health a of into the effects of A. membranaceus on is as discussed more on the of A. membranaceus in these in dogs and cats is necessary to these and the challenges regarding and product be to perennial of the is a popular herb to China and ginseng (e.g., and that has been used in eastern Asian culture for thousands of are also ginseng species to and the United States which be referred to as ginseng in this ginseng be referred to species from the to A. membranaceus, ginseng is also an however, ginseng and ginseng are with the and the in traditional Chinese is a plant to 80 cm) with a to the is used as the in health even biological compounds are also found in the leaves and is a to years of before et al., 2018). The biological compounds recognized in ginseng are a of saponins, known as of have been from different of ginseng (Wang et al., The of of can and are largely associated with their to to can be into and (Figure et al., 2015). biological compounds, such as polysaccharides and organic acids, can also be found in the species of The and concentration of the on the in which ginseng is growth and Among the extraction of ginseng are commonly ginseng, ginseng, and ginseng by the roots by commonly through to et al., 2015). ginseng, on the other hand, is by ginseng root at to for to et al., ginseng is through of at the et al., 2009). to the production of and (e.g., and ginseng is more compared to the (Figure et al., 2009). can also be using a of (e.g., fermentation such as and in the of is commercially available as raw supplements and and in food and Some products a ginseng known as which has positive effects on and energy and physical performance, as well as immune and as reviewed by and discuss some potential health benefits and of the inclusion of ginseng in dog and cat chemical of the of found in Created with BioRender.com. Illustration of a Panax sp. plant highlighting the use of its root as a dietary supplement, on of the most to the root and its effect on the concentrations of bioactive compounds, with the concentrations found in ginseng by and ginseng Created with BioRender.com. 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The utilization of A. membranaceus and ginseng products in dog and cat food and and their use the with functional foods or nutraceuticals in human and feed in the of animal The fact that they are natural products is with a in the pet food industry botanical Astragalus membranaceus may support gut health, the immune system, and antioxidant in despite some on the dietary use of A. membranaceus in various livestock there is a of regarding its effects in and a of as to the potential in cats. in biological among species may due to and has not been studies are to its safety in dogs and cats. 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