Ameliorative potential of stem extracts of Tinospora cordifolia in bovine clinical mastitis

Abstract

The ameliorative effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Family: Menispermaceae) stem extract administration for therapeutic management of mastitis was evaluated. From a herd of 225-250 lactating cows screened for clinical and subclinical mastitis using California mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count, 42 animals with only one affected quarter were randomly selected and divided into 2 equal groups. The animals received intramammary antibiotic infusion of ampicillin sodium 75 mg and cloxacillin sodium 200 mg/infusion. based on previous antibiotic sensitivity test, till CMT reaction became zero or for a maximum period of 5 days but not less than 3 days, with or without T. cordifolia extract @ 200 mg intramammary for 3 consecutive days. The ameliorative potential was evaluated on the basis of physical examination of udder and milk, CMT score and somatic cell count on day 3, 5 and 7 of treatment. Higher recovery rate was noted in cows supplemented with extract of T. cordifolia (80.95%) than those treated with antibiotic alone (71.42%). Average requirement of antibiotic infusions was lower in T. cordifolia supplemented group (3.43±0.20 vs 3.90±0.19). Recovery was also faster and the effect was more pronounced on day 5 and 7 of the trial. Therefore T. cordifoli could be used with intramammary antibiotic therapy to improve the cure rate.