a review of the effects of aloe vera on mastitis in cattle

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus aloe. it is widely distributed and is considered an invasive species in many world regions. various therapeutic effects have been found with the use of a. vera. it is known that the primary etiological agents associated with bovine mastitis show high levels of antimicrobial resistance. the results of the present study showed that treatment with a. vera gel extract disrupted the cell membrane causing lysis in 75% of staphylococcus aureus, in 88% of escherichia coli, in 97% of streptococcus uberis, and in 88% of methicillin-resistant s. aureus cells (1). cell membrane disruption is attributed to the presence of anthraquinones. the combination of a. vera and ceftiofur or cloxacillin delayed the appearance of chromosomal resistance in s. aureus strains (2). in a study conducted by chikwanda et al. (2013), it was observed that a. vera possessed some antibacterial properties that could assist in controlling mastitis pathogens s. aureus, s. agalactiae and e. coli. the highest levels of inhibition were shown in e. coli organelles (3). the use of a. vera along with antibiotics could have positive effect on the control and treatment of mastitis in cattle.