Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part H (2024)

Author(s): S Maheswari, K Ravikumar, R Anil Kumar, K Porteen, R Suresh Kumar, J Umamageswari and D Dhansekara Varma

Abstract: Postpartum metritis and injudicious antibiotic intrauterine therapy are the most common causes of infertility that contribute to economic losses for cattle owners. Moreover, it is crucial to find novel, potent antibacterial agents to solve the problem of antibacterial resistance in cows. Hence, the presence study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract of garlic (Allium sativum) against Escherichia coli. A total of 18 postpartum metritis cows were selected based on their history, clinical signs, vaginal and per-rectal examinations. Under aseptic procedure, E. coli isolates were recovered from the uterine samples of metritis cows and subjected for antibacterial sensitivity test. The antibacterial activity of crude, 20%, 10% ethanolic extract of garlic and commercially available antibiotics were tested against E. coli using the disc diffusion method. Crude extract of garlic yielded higher antimicrobial activity (19.66±0.42 mm) next to gentamicin (21.22±0.55 mm) against E. coli followed by 20%, 10% ethanolic extact. The zone of inhibition formed by 20%, 10% garlic extract was higher and found equivalent to cefuroxime, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Whereas, ampicillin and sulpha/Trimethoprim showed resistance for E. coli. Based on the above results, it was found that ethanolic extract of garlic had in vitro antimicrobial activity against E. coli, similarly it may also act in vivo. In conclusion to combat antibiotic resistance garlic extract can be recommended as alternate choice for treating postpartum metritis in cows.