Comparison of Two Regimens of Nigella sativa Extract for Treatment of Subclinical Mastitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Problem statement: Little research has focused on treatment of cows with subclinical mastitis during lactation. The seed of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as black seed or black cumin, is used in folk (herbal) medicine. Approach: Objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa Extract (NSE) with two regimens for treatment of subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows and to determine which regimen enhanced efficacy of it. Results: From one hundred Holstein dairy research herd in Mashhad-Iran, 83 cows with a total of 157 subclinically Staphylococcus aureus infected quarters were included. Cows were enrolled in the study based on milk somatic cell counts >200,000 mL −1 and isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in 3 samples obtained 1 week apart. About 10 cc of NSE (in paraffin: 200 mg cc −1 ) was administered via intramammary infusion. First, Cows were divided into three treatment groups. Group 1 (37 cows) received intramammary infusion at each milking (3 times daily) for 3 days with 10 cc NSE. Group 2 (24 cows) received the same intramammary infusion but only once daily for 3 days. The third, 22 cows were included as an untreated negative control group. Results in bacteriologic cure of 69.4% of quarters and 59.5% of cows (Group 1) compared to 60% of quarters and 45.8% of cows (Group 2). Test for mastitis diagnosis Somatic cell counts of milk from quarters that were not cured were higher prior to initiation of treatment than those cured. A bacteriological cure was defined as a treated infected mammary quarter that was bacteriologically negative for the presence of S. aureus at 3-7 day after the last treatment. Conclusion: All two Nigella sativa treatment regimens were significantly better than the negative control and the nine dose Nigella sativa treatment regimen treatment group was not significantly better than the three dose treatment group (p = 0.332).

Effect of Intramammary Injection of Nigella Sativa on Somatic Cell Count and Staphylococcus Aureus Count in Holstein Cows with S. aureus Subclinical Mastitis

“…In the present study, injections of Nigella sativa extract resulted in a tendency of bacterial growth to decrease. Consistent with our findings, (Azadi and Farzaneh, 2010) showed that milk SCC of the quarters infected with S. aureus decreased after injection of Nigella sativa extract. Also findings suggest an increased resistance to S. aureus infection in the udder after Nigella sativa treatment (Wall et al, 2005).…”

“…Staphylococcus aureus mastitis is known to be highly resistant to antibiotic therapy. The organism forms microabscesses or granulomas in the mammary gland tissues, survives in the host's cells and becomes chronic quite easily (Azadi and Farzaneh, 2010). Due to the poor response of S. aureus to antibiotic therapy, as well as the risk of antibiotic residues in milk, chemotherapy is usually not recommended during the lactating period (Gruet et al, 2001).…”

Inhibition of Skin Colour Darkening (Skin Clearing and Lightening); Skin Firming; Body Calming and Body Vitalizing Effects of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> Leaf Extract

“…At the end of the 65 days treatment, V. amygdalina in the reconstituted rat feed "grossly turned the skin of the treated rats lighter than those of the control rats fed the standard grower mash" (Hafidh et al,, 2009) Microscopic examinations of the treated rats showed that the various tissues of the rats were of normal architecture with good cellular morphology (Azadi and Farzaneh, 2010).…”