Three natural extracts alleviate ovalbumin-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and barrier dysfunction in canine...

To evaluate the protective effects of Hydrocotyle asiatica extract (HAE), aloe polysaccharide (AP), and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced damage in canine intestinal epithelial cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms using a multiomics approach.

The study was conducted from January 1 through September 30, 2025. An in vitro model of OVA-induced injury in canine intestinal epithelial cells was established. The effects of the 3 extracts were assessed through integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses.

All 3 extracts (HAE, 320 µg/mL; AP, 1 µg/mL; GBE, 1 µg/mL) significantly mitigated OVA-induced damage: they restored antioxidant activity (eg, superoxide dismutase increased 105% to 137%), suppressed inflammation (eg, tumor necrosis factor-α reduced by up to 25%), and enhanced barrier protein expression. Multiomics analysis specifically linked HAE to the restoration of metabolic pathways (eg, riboflavin metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation) and the upregulation of genes involved in epithelial adhesion and junction assembly.

HAE, AP, and GBE exert protective effects against OVA-induced intestinal epithelial cell injury by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and barrier dysfunction. Hydrocotyle asiatica extract specifically modulates key metabolic and transcriptional pathways involved in intestinal integrity.

These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which HAE preserves intestinal barrier function and underscore its potential application in enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, which may be relevant for managing food allergies and intestinal inflammatory disorders in clinical settings.