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Linum usitatissimum (linseed/flaxseed) fixed oil: antimicrobial activity and efficacy in bovine mastitis

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Abstract

Purpose

In vitro antimicrobial activity and in vivo therapeutic efficacy of L. usitatissimum (linseed/flaxseed) fixed oil in bovine mastitis were investigated.

Method

In vitro antimicrobial activity of L. usitatissimum fixed oil was evaluated against a number of microorganisms by disc diffusion method and MIC determination. The in vivo efficacy of the oil was evaluated in nine mastitis-affected cows divided into three groups (three in each group), following once-a-day intramammary infusion of oil, cefoperazone or an oil-cefoperazone combination for 7 days and by monitoring the California mastitis test score, somatic cell count and microbial count in milk samples.

Results

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the oil against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli was comparable to that of cefoperazone while the antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus luteus and Candida albicans, was greater than that of cefoperazone. In the in vivo study, the oil exhibited significant reduction in the California mastitis test score and somatic cell count in milk samples from infected udders following 7 days of intramammary administration suggesting its anti-inflammatory effect. The microbial count in milk samples was also reduced significantly following oil treatment. The effects were comparable to the treatment by cefoperazone (Mastiwock) alone or in combination with the oil. Apparently, the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of the oil contribute to its therapeutic efficacy in mastitis; the oil could be used as an alternative treatment for bovine mastitis

Conclusion

The results suggest possible therapeutic potential of L. usitatissimum fixed oil in bovine mastitis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon, India, for GC analysis of L. usitatissimum fixed oil. The authors are also thankful to Prof. (Dr.) Neeraj Kumar and Dr. Ram Pal, Department of Veterinary Sciences, AAI-Deemed University, Allahabad, U.P., for providing valuable guidance and suggestions in the study and Dr. J. Bhattacharya, Wockhardt Laboratories, for supplying cefoperazone gift samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, F.H.M.S, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad, 211007, U.P., India

    Gaurav Kaithwas & Alok Mukerjee

  2. Department of Veterinary Sciences, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad, 211007, U.P., India

    P. Kumar

  3. Department of Pharmaceutics, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Formerly College of Pharmacy (University of Delhi), Pushp Vihar, Sector III, New Delhi, 110017, India

    Dipak K. Majumdar

Authors
  1. Gaurav Kaithwas
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  2. Alok Mukerjee
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  3. P. Kumar
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  4. Dipak K. Majumdar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dipak K. Majumdar.

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Kaithwas, G., Mukerjee, A., Kumar, P. et al. Linum usitatissimum (linseed/flaxseed) fixed oil: antimicrobial activity and efficacy in bovine mastitis. Inflammopharmacol 19, 45–52 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0047-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0047-3

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