Dietary supplementation of Yucca schidigera and Gleditsia amorphoides modulates gut fermentation metabolites, antioxidant status, and inflammatory markers in adult dogs

Saponins are bioactive compounds known for modulating potential inflammatory metabolites produced by the gut microbiome, including ammonia. This study evaluated the effects of the saponin sources, Yucca schidigera (7% saponins) and Gleditsia amorphoides (21% saponins), on intestinal functionality, antioxidant, and inflammatory markers in adult dogs. Eighteen Beagle dogs (10 males and eight females), with 12.20 ± 1.33 kg body weight were randomly divided into three groups: Control (no saponins), 200 g Yucca schidigera/ton of diet (Yucca), and 200 g Gleditsia amorphoides/ton of diet (Gleditsia), totaling six replications per treatment. Dogs were fed experimental diets for 20 days. Fresh fecal samples were collected on day 20 to analyze: dry matter, score, pH, ammonia, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), and biogenic amines. Blood was also collected on day 20 to analyze inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant enzymes, and liver enzymes. Preliminary results showed that the Gleditsia group had higher fecal propionate concentrations and lower histamine concentrations (P < 0.05). Both the Yucca and Gleditsia groups presented lower fecal concentrations of ammonia and spermine than the Control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the Yucca and Gleditsia groups showed lower lipid peroxidation and higher catalase activity, whereas only the Gleditsia group showed lower alkaline phosphatase activity than the Control group (P