Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, cilt.80, ss.57-68, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Anxiety in domestic dogs is characterized by signs which may include persistent fear, excessive roaming, and hyperactivity, and which can compromise their well-being. Natural alternatives like Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis, VO) and Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus, HE) have been proposed to modulate anxiety. This open-label, uncontrolled trial—without a placebo—evaluated the potential anxiolytic effects of these extracts in 20 mixed-breed dogs exhibiting clinically relevant anxiety, as determined by owner-completed behavioral questionnaires. Dogs were assigned equally to two groups (VO and HE, n = 10 each) and received a daily dose of 1000 mg per 10 kg body weight over a 4-week period. Assessments included EEG recordings from frontal, temporal, and central brain regions (analyzing delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands), neurochemical analyses of serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol, and standardized behavioral surveys conducted at baseline and after treatment. The results indicated modest improvements in certain owner-reported behaviors, particularly reductions in fear and roaming. Within-group analysis showed statistically significant improvement in 4 behavioral signs in the VO group and 2 signs in the HE group out of the 15 assessed. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups, indicating comparable behavioral outcomes across treatments. EEG analysis revealed that HE treatment was associated with reductions in theta and select alpha power in frontal and temporal regions, while VO exhibited less pronounced effects. Neurochemical findings suggested that HE may reduce plasma serotonin levels and VO may decrease dopamine levels. Both treatments were well tolerated, with no adverse events observed. Although these preliminary findings suggest that VO and HE extracts might modulate neurophysiological and neurochemical markers related to anxiety in dogs, further controlled studies are needed to establish clinical relevance.