New clinical study on PetGaia will explore skin health and coat quality in dogs | Nutritional Outlook

by


In a recent press release1, PhytoGaia, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with a Contract Research Organization (CRO) and led by veterinary researcher in Malaysia who will be orchestrating a controlled eight-week clinical study investigating oral supplementation of PetGaia on skin and coat health in dogs. The study will be looking into the effects the supplement may have on itchiness, coat shine, smoothness, softness, skin redness, lesion formation, and dryness.

PetGaia is a branded natural pam fruit extract that consists of a synergistic complex involving plant-derived squalene and phytosterols, alpha-tocopherol, and tocotrienols. To create the supplement, is “extracted via a non-chemical, non-solvent and non-biodiesel process, ensuring clean-label compliance, allergen-free formulation and high palatability.”1

The press release detailed preclinical and human research regarding tocotrienols and squakene use in skin and hair1:

“This 8-week controlled study is designed to generate robust, evidence-based data on PetGaia™’s skin effects in dogs. Working with a renowned CRO ensures the trial is scientifically rigorous, producing insights that formulators and manufacturers can confidently use in product development and claim substantiation,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia.1

“As a dog owner — a French Bulldog and a Bichon Frisé, I’ve seen first-hand how sensitive skin can be, especially in my Frenchie who is prone to food reactions and coat issues. This personal experience motivates me to support this study. PetGaia™ is a natural, science-backed approach to improving skin and coat health, and as such, I’m excited to see how the results can benefit both pets and the brands that formulate with it,” added Mr. Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia.1

Clinical Trial Finds Tocotrienol Beverage Boosts Antioxidant Defenses and Wellbeing in Older Adults

A recently published study examined the effects of a tocotrienol-enriched beverage on antioxidant activity and psychological well-being of older adults.6 Oxidative stress, genomic instability, and chronic inflammation in aging adults, the study explains, can contribute to damage to DNA, slower tissue repair, and less systemic resilience. Tocotrienols, it adds, have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The beverage used in the study was formulated with tocotrienols/tocopherol complex TocoGaia, which is derived from palm oil, from PhytoGaia. The double-blinded, two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial, “Tocotrienol-Enriched Beverage Enhances Psychological Well-Being, Antioxidant Defense, and Genomic Stability in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” was published in Nutrients on June 30, 2025.

In this six-month study, 67 participants aged 50–70 were instructed to consume one serving of a tocotrienol-enriched beverage or a placebo beverage once per day, preferably after breakfast. Each serving of the test beverage contained 200 mg of mixed tocotrienols. Assessments were taken at baseline, halfway through the study, and at the end.

Highlighted results include6:

  • Participants in the tocotrienol group showed a significantly greater improvements in psychological scores than the placebo group
  • A reduction in cytokines and inflammatory markers was seen in the tocotrienol group compared to placebo
  • A significant improvement in antioxidant and enzyme activity was seen in the tocotrienol group compared to placebo
  • Telomerase activity was also increased in the tocotrienol group. Telomerase is an enzyme important for genomic stability, the study explains
  • Significant changes in cognitive scores or physical performance were not seen

“This is one of the most comprehensive human trials to date showing that tocotrienols (TocoGaia) can positively modulate several key hallmarks of aging, from reducing inflammation and oxidative stress to enhancing genomic protection,” stated Ariati Aris, scientific affairs specialist at PhytoGaia, in a July 7, 2025 press release.6 “What’s truly encouraging is that these benefits were seen within just six months of supplementation, with no reported side effects. These findings add robust support to the growing scientific evidence positioning tocotrienols (TocoGaia) as a safe and effective nutraceutical for healthy aging.”

References

  1. PhytoGaia conducts new clinical study on PetGaiaTM to evaluate skin health & coat quality in dogs https://www.phytogaia.com/index.php/2025/12/05/phytogaia-conducts-new-clinical-study-on-petgaiatm-to-evaluate-skin-health-coat-quality-in-dogs/ (accessed Dec 18, 2025).
  2. Ahmed NS, et al. Epidermal E-Cadherin Dependent β-Catenin Pathway Is Phytochemical Inducible and Accelerates Anagen Hair Cycling. Mol Ther. 2017 Nov 1;25(11):2502-2512.
  3. Beoy LA, et al. Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. Trop Life Sci Res. 2010 Dec;21(2):91-9.
  4. Pedrelli VF, et al. Clinical evaluation of photoprotective effect by a topical antioxidants combination (tocopherols and tocotrienols). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Nov;26(11):1449-53.
  5. Morgan NR, et al. Explicating the multifunctional roles of tocotrienol and squalene in promoting skin health. Skin Health Dis. 2024 Aug 20;4(5):e448.
  6. McEvoy, E. Tocotrienol beverage boosts antioxidant defenses and wellbeing in older adults, clinical trial finds https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/tocotrienol-beverage-boosts-antioxidant-defenses-and-wellbeing-in-older-adults-clinical-trial-finds (accessed Dec 18, 2025).