First report of antifibrotic properties of Tylophora indica for udder fibrosis in dairy cattle

Currently, mastitis associated udder fibrosis is a major problem in dairy cattle and causes huge economic losses to dairy industry. The study was undertaken to evaluate the action of Tylophora indica in fibrosed udder of cattle. A total of 46 dairy cattle presented with indurated udder during the year 2022 to TVCC, Orathanadu were studied retrospectively. On physical examination, the udder was very hard to touch and the nature of milk varied from yellow serous fluid with fibrin clots to watery milk. The animals were randomly divided into two groups (I and II). Fresh leaves of T indica were collected, aqueous extract prepared, and qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out, and revealed the presence of saponin, tannin, terpenoids and vitamin C. The antioxidant property of T. indica was evaluated by DPPH assay with methanolic extract and revealed the presence of DPPH free radical scavenging activity 89.7% and the concentration was 2.5 mg/ml. Herbal paste was prepared from fresh leaves of T. indica alone with electric blender. The animals in group I were treated with parenteral administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drug and anti-inflammatory ointment and group II with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drug and topical application of T. indica crude paste for 5-7 days. The local administration of herbal paste containing T. indica on indurated udder resulted in dissolution of udder fibrosis within 3-10 days, which might be possibly due to free radical scavenging activity and anti-fibrotic properties. The mean duration for dissolution of udder fibrosis in group I and II, was 59 and 6.4 days, respectively. Out of 23 animals in each group (I and II), the percentage of cattle resumed milk production in same lactation was 7 (30.4%) and 20 (86.9%), respectively. The topical herbal paste was effective for complete dissolution of udder fibrosis in more than 85% of cases. This is the first report of anti-fibrotic action of T. indica against udder fibrosis, it could be used to improve the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic drugs in fibrosed udder to expedite recovery and to reduce the culling percentage in dairy cattle and minimize economic losses to the farmer.