Abstract
Abstract Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as an alternative treatment for health problems. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is a median tree that belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. The antibacterial effect of leaves extract of this plant has already been demonstrated. The objective of this study was to test a substance derived from this plant to be used in pre- and post-milking teat antisepsis. The hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian pepper tree was used in opposite quarters for twelve consecutive weeks, and commercial iodine was used as control. None of the indices analyzed - black background mug, CMT, intramammary infections, skin health, and teat health - showed a statistical difference between the treatments, suggesting that the plant extract can be used in pre- and post-milking teat antisepsis, as a substitute for conventional products for herds in an agroecological production system.
Highlights
Medicinal plants have been part of our society in preventing diseases since the dawn of civilization, and developing countries have used these plants for centuries as an alternative treatment for health problems.(1, 2) Farmers have reported the use of medicinal plants to increase milk production and to treat bovine mastitis.(1) The employment of these natural products has decreased or even disappeared from the medical indication with the advent of modern medicine(2) because in most cases lack explanation scientific evidence.(3) The Ethnoveterinary seeks to rescue the traditional knowledge by connecting it with scientific knowledge.(4) Among the health problems that affect dairy cattle, infectious mastitis is the most prevalent disease
The leaves remained in contact with alcohol for two weeks, with twice a day agitation. After this period, filtering was performed with four folds filter gauze, the initial volume was reset with 70oGL cereal alcohol and the extract was stored in an amber bottle free of sunlight.(5) A dilution in water (1:5) was made to use the solution, immediately before milking For microbiological identification of new intra-mammary infections (NIMI), weekly samples of milk (5 mL) were individually collected from all mammary quarters of milking animals, after teat asepsis with cotton soaked in 70oGL alcohol
The results regarding the evaluation of California Mastitis Test (CMT) were statistically similar between treatments (Figure 1)
Summary
Medicinal plants have been part of our society in preventing diseases since the dawn of civilization, and developing countries have used these plants for centuries as an alternative treatment for health problems.(1, 2) Farmers have reported the use of medicinal plants to increase milk production and to treat bovine mastitis.(1) The employment of these natural products has decreased or even disappeared from the medical indication with the advent of modern medicine(2) because in most cases lack explanation scientific evidence.(3) The Ethnoveterinary seeks to rescue the traditional knowledge by connecting it with scientific knowledge.(4) Among the health problems that affect dairy cattle, infectious mastitis is the most prevalent disease It reduces milk production, causes losses by milk disposal and the death of animals, and increases treatment costs. Teats antisepsis is a practice incorporated into the routine of milking, and it is important to control mastitis.(5) the biggest challenge for the dairy industry is the pressure for reducing the use of antibiotics in foodproducing animals.(2) The indiscriminate use of these products may contribute to the establishment of persistent infections, which is a limiting factor for the treatment of bovine mastitis.(1) Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Brazilian peppertree, is a median tree of the Anacardiaceae family.(6) This tree is native to South and Central America and grows in tropical and semitropical regions of the United States and Africa as an ornamental garden tree.(7) In Brazil, it occurs from the Atlantic rainforest to the state of Rio Grande do Sul.(6) Indigenous people have used almost all parts of S. terebinthifolius, including leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, resin, and oleoresin, as medicine.(7) The ethnobotanical literature cites the use of the bark, based on popular tradition, as a decoction, especially by women at postpartum, as an anti-inflammatory and healing agent, or as homemade medicine for treating diseases of the urinary and respiratory systems.(6) The in vitro antibacterial action of the tinctures extract of this plant has been proven against on dental biofilm forming bacteria.(8) The importance of medicinal plants can be attributed to accessibility, as well as the confidence in phytotherapy, according to the witnessed positive effects from their use.(1) The obtainment of milk in quantity and quality based on agroecology depends on solutions to the livestock health problems through renewable alternatives, in which the use of medicinal plants has high potential.(4) The term ‘organic’ refers to animal and plant foods produced without the use of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, antimicrobials, antiparasitics, transgenics, or any other drug having residues harmful to human health, including products for agricultural use intended for dairy animals.(9) The aim of this study was to develop and test a Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi-based product, with antibacterial action to be used in pre- and post-milking teat antisepsis
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