Plant Essential Oils as a Tool in the Control of Bovine Mastitis: An Update

Abstract

Bovine mastitis is a major concern for the dairy cattle community worldwide. Mastitis, subclinical or clinical, can be caused by contagious or environmental pathogens. Costs related to mastitis include direct and indirect losses, leading to global annual losses of USD 35 billion. The primary treatment of mastitis is represented by antibiotics, even if that results in the presence of residues in milk. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in livestock is contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), resulting in a limited resolution of mastitis treatments, as well as a serious threat for public health. Novel alternatives, like the use of plant essential oils (EOs), are needed to replace antibiotic therapy when facing multidrug-resistant bacteria. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the in vitro and in vivo studies available on EOs and their main components as an antibacterial treatment against a variety of mastitis causing pathogens. There are many in vitro studies, but only several in vivo. Given the promising results of treatments with EOs, further clinical trials are needed.

Is peperina (Minthostachys verticillata) exclusively found in South America?

“…Rashed et al [46] published in 2021 an article highlighted the conventional and nonconventional approaches about the properties of essential oils and their compounds for application in skin fungal infections. Good updates of the role of EO and plant extracts as new approaches for the treatment for bacterial mastitis in dairy cattle were publishing recently [47,48].…”

Clinical Evidence on Expansion of Essential Oil-Based Formulation’s Pharmacological Activity in Bovine Mastitis Treatment: Antifungal Potential as Added Value

“…Bovine mastitis is a multifactorial disease, regarded as the most prevalent and economically significant infectious condition affecting dairy cattle globally [2]. It is estimated to result in annual losses of approximately USD 35 billion in the dairy industry [3]. The etiology of bovine mastitis involves a wide range of microorganisms, mainly comprised of bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, algae, and yeasts [2,4,5].…”

“…As current treatment options become increasingly ineffective against resistant bacteria, the development of alternative phytotherapy products can combat antimicrobial resistance and provide sustainable animal health solutions that ensure safe and high-quality food production [18]. Natural products are an excellent solution as they are environmentally friendly and safe and are therefore highly valued in both organic and conventional farming [3,19]. Some EOs have biologically active compounds, such as thymol and carvacrol, that are responsible for their antimicrobial properties [20].…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Essential Oils against Staphylococcus aureus from Bovine Mastitis

“…The mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of EOs include the degradation of the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, cytoplasm coagulation, the inhibition of toxic bacterial metabolites, and the inhibition of the bacterial efflux system. However, the efficacy of antimicrobial activity can vary depending on the pathogen and the composition of the EO [15][16][17]. For example, these compounds have a hydrophobic characteristic, which confers greater effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria.…”

“…The use of EOs as an alternative to treat S. aureus bovine mastitis has not been extensively studied. There is limited research on the topic [17], and further studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of EOs for use in dairy cows. In this context, studies regarding the antimicrobial activity of new compounds, including EOs, especially to develop new treatments against mastitis, are increasingly important [18].…”