Clinical evaluation of a functional diet containing Siraitia grosvenorii residual extract for atopic dermatitis in dogs: a self-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that significantly impairs quality of life. Nutritional interventions have gained attention as supportive therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of a functional diet containing Siraitia grosvenorii residual extract by evaluating its effects on clinical symptoms and inflammatory markers in dogs with CAD using a self-controlled design. METHODS: A total of 32 dogs diagnosed with CAD were fed a standard diet for 12 weeks (control phase) followed by a functional diet for 12 weeks (treatment phase). Clinical assessments, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-04), Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), Owner Global Assessment of Treatment Efficacy (OGATE), and serum IgE levels were conducted at baseline and at 6-week intervals. RESULTS: TEWL, CADESI-04, and PVAS scores significantly improved during the treatment phase compared with the control phase (p = 0.0002, < 0.0001, and < 0.0001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in serum in serum IgE levels (p = 0.8046). The OGATE responses indicated 80.65% rate of owner-reported satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The functional diet significantly improved the clinical signs of CAD and was well tolerated. These findings suggest that nutritional support with the Siraitia grosvenorii extract may be a beneficial adjunctive therapy for CAD.