Cow placenta extract (CPE) on cognitive function and oxidative stress in aged client-owned dogs
A 6-month randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial in eastern China enrolled client-owned aged dogs (over 7-8 years, more than 5 kg) with a CSLB cognitive score of 30 or more from three animal clinics; 88 dogs completed the trial (45 CPE, 43 placebo). Dogs received cow placenta extract capsules (200 mg for 5-15 kg, 400 mg over 15 kg) or identical placebo twice daily, with CSLB questionnaires and serum oxidative stress markers as outcomes. At month 6 the CPE group had a lower mean CSLB score (35.1 vs 41.1) and a 77.8% response rate versus 9.3% for placebo, and CSLB change correlated with changes in MDA, GSH-Px and GSH.
Record
| Design | randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Status | completed |
| Setting | client owned |
| Intervention | Cow placenta extract (CPE) oral capsules |
| Intervention class | diet or supplement |
| Comparator | Placebo capsules identical in appearance, same dosage, method and duration |
| Dose regimen | 200 mg CPE orally for dogs weighing 5-15 kg and 400 mg for dogs over 15 kg, twice daily for 6 months |
| Duration | 6 months (CSLB at months 2, 4 and 6) |
| Dogs | 88 |
| Population note | 88 dogs completed the trial and are reported (45 CPE, 43 placebo); 94 enrolled, 3 lost to follow-up, 1 died, 2 excluded for noncompliance |
| Age | aged dogs >= 7 years per the abstract; over 8 years of age per the full-text inclusion criteria |
| Other | client-owned dogs weighing more than 5 kg with a Canine Social and Learning Behavior Survey (CSLB) score >= 30, recruited from 3 animal clinics in the eastern region of China |
| Primary outcome | Canine Social and Learning Behavior Survey (CSLB) score; serum oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH-Px, GSH and others) |
| Result (as reported) | By month 6, mean CSLB was 35.1 +/- 4.9 in the CPE group vs 41.1 +/- 5.3 in the placebo group (P < .05; Cohen's d = -1.17). The successful therapeutic response was 77.8% in the CPE group vs 9.3% in the placebo group (P < .001). Change in CSLB correlated positively with change in MDA (r = 0.77) and negatively with change in GSH-Px and GSH. The authors conclude a six-month CPE administration improved cognitive function and oxidative stress in aged dogs. |
| Lead organisation | Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, China (ethics committee); 3 animal clinics in the eastern region of China |
| Start year | 2023 |
| End year | 2024 |
| Tags | supplement, placenta-extract, cognition, oxidative-stress, cslb, client-owned |
Notes: Start year is the baseline survey window (December 2023 to January 2024); end year 2024 follows from the 6-month duration after baseline. The abstract gives the age criterion as >= 7 years while the full text says over 8 years. No funding source is named beyond the project covering veterinary examination costs.
Sources and verbatim quotes
Effects of cow placenta extract on cognitive function in aged dogs: a randomized controlled trial. (2026) PMID 42492061 (results)
Cow placenta extract (CPE) has demonstrated beneficial effects in antiaging; however, its effect on age-related cognitive decline remains unclear.
To evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of CPE in improving cognitive function in aged dogs.
The aged dogs (≥7 years) with a Canine Social and Learning Behavior Survey (CSLB) score of ≥ 30 owned by clients.
A 6-month randomized controlled trial. Eighty-eight dogs received CPE (n = 45) or placebo (n = 43). Canine Social and Learning Behavior Survey questionnaires were administered, and serum oxidative stress markers were assessed.
By month 6, the mean ± SD of CSLB was 35.1 ± 4.9 in the CPE group vs 41.1 ± 5.3 (P < .05; Cohen's d = -1.17; 95% CI for d: -1.63 to -0.72) in the placebo group.
The successful therapeutic response was 77.8% (95% CI, 63.2-88.0) in the CPE group vs 9.3% (95% CI, 3.1-22.3; P < .001) in the placebo group.
The correlation between the change (Δ%) in CSLB and change in malondialdehyde (MDA) was positive (r = 0.77, P < .001), and correlations between the Δ% in CSLB and change in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione (GSH) were negative (r = -0.893, P < .001 and r = -0.878, P < .001, respectively).
A six-month CPE administration improved cognitive function and oxidative stress in aged dogs, suggesting its potential for long-term management of cognitive impairment.
Effects of cow placenta extract on cognitive function in aged dogs: a randomized controlled trial. (2026) PMID 42492061 (design)
The experimental plan was submitted to the Ethics Committee of Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, China (NSF202108).
Dogs that were over 8 years of age and weighed more than 5 kg were collected from the databases of 3 different animal clinics in the eastern region of China.
The period for the baseline CSLB surveys was from December 1, 2023 to January 30, 2024 in this study.
All participating dogs were randomly assigned to either the CPE group or the placebo group in a 1:1 ratio.
The investigators and dog owners remained blind to the treatment by ensuring that the appearance of the CPE capsules and the placebo was identical. Dogs weighing between 5 and 15 kg were administered 200 mg of CPE orally, while those weighing over 15 kg received 400 mg of CPE, twice daily for 6 months. The placebo group received a placebo at the same dosage, using the same method and duration.
At the end of the second (T1), fourth (T2), and sixth (T3) months of administration, the CSLB questionnaire was collected.
Consequently, 94 dogs were enrolled in the study. Three dogs were lost to follow-up, 1 dog died and 2 dogs were excluded due to noncompliance. Ultimately, 43 dogs of the placebo group and 45 dogs of the CPE group completed the trial (Figure 1).
Reproduce: canine_trial_search(trial_id="cow-placenta-extract-cognition-aged-dogs-rct-2026") in dog-geroscience-mcp; dataset canine-trial-registry.