IntroductionBovine mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the udder that causes important economic losses in the animal breeding and dairy product industries. Nowadays, the conventional livestock antibiotic treatments are slowly being replaced by alternative treatments. In this context, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of natural products in alternative treatment of bovine mastitis.Material and MethodsTwo natural formulations with previously suggested in vitro antimicrobial effect were tested in vivo on mastitic cows. Animals with a positive diagnosis for mastitis (n = 20) were divided into three treatment groups: two groups (n = 8) were administered formulations of propolis, alcoholic extracts of Brewers Gold and Perle hops, plum lichen, common mallow, marigold, absinthe wormwood, black poplar buds, lemon balm, and essential oils of oregano, lavender, and rosemary designated R4 and R7 (differing only in the latter being more concentrated) and one group (n = 4) a conventional antibiotic mixture. In vivo efficacy of treatments was evaluated by somatic cell and standard plate counts, the treatment being considered efficacious when both parameters were under the maximum limit.ResultsR7 was effective in the most cases, being therapeutically bactericidal in six out of eight cows, while R4 gave good results in three out of eight cows, and conventional antibiotics cured one out of four.ConclusionThese results suggest the possible therapeutic potential of these natural products in bovine mastitis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of administering a grape seed extract, rich in polyphenols in an experimental model of ligature induced periodontitis in rats. Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided into Control group, Ligature group and Grape seed extract (GSE) group. Periodontitis was induced by placing a wire ligature around the first mandibular molar for 4 weeks. The animals in the GSE group were administered grape seed extract by gavage. In days 1, 7 and 28 blood samples were taken and in day 28 the hemimandibles were harvested and sent for histological examination. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in serum and in gingival tissue. Results: Significantly higher values of MDA were found in serum and periodontium in the Ligature group in comparison to the GSE group. GSE administration resulted in an increase of GSH plasma concentration in the GSE group as compared to the Control and Ligature groups. In the GSE group inflammation and bone involvement were less marked than in the Ligature group. Conclusions: The grape seed extract proved protective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in a ligature-induced experimental model of periodontitis in rats and also improved the histological status of gingival tissue and bone.

The associations between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases have been intensely studied in recent years. Oxidative stress is involved in the initiation and both progression of periodontitis and atherosclerosis. Antioxidants can reduce the effects of oxidative stress on inflammatory diseases. Our aim was to measure the effects of a grape seed extract (GSE), rich in antioxidants, on atherosclerosis caused by ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 10: control group, periodontitis group, and periodontitis group treated with GSE (GSE group). Periodontitis was induced by placing an orthodontic wire around the cervix of the first mandibular molar and keeping it in place for 4 weeks. On days 1, 7 and 28, blood samples were taken to assess oxidative stress and inflammation markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione - MDA, reduced glutathione - GSH, C reactive protein) and lipids. After 4 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and aortas were collected for histopathologic examination. MDA was significantly higher in Periodontitis group compared to the other groups only at day 7. GSH was significantly increased in the Control and GSE groups on days 1 and 7, compared to Periodontitis group and on day 28 higher in GSE vs. Periodontitis groups. C reactive protein was significantly increased in the Periodontitis group on days 1 and 7 compared to both groups. Cholesterol was significantly decreased in the aortas of GSE group at day 28 compared to the Periodontitis group. Oral administration of a grape seed extract reduces the oxidative stress, inflammation and atherosclerosis in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.

The data presented in this article is included in a larger research regarding the improvement of the Romanian lamb towards the meat production. The study has been carried out from 2015 to 2016. The lambs included in this study were obtained following a protocol of estrus synchronization in Tsurcana ewes and the grouped lambing. The research is a pilot study conducted on a representative sample for the selected groups of animals and further research is needed to complete the research. The research aims to compare carcass characteristics of purebred Tsurcana lambs and Tsurcana crossed with Vendeen lambs. The criteria assessed were: the chemical composition of purebred and crossbred meat, the live body weight, the slaughtering performance and the weight of different carcass cuts. For almost all criteria chosen the crossbred individuals recorded better results.