Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa in clinically endometritic cows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the response to intrauterine infusion of Nigella sativa (NS) and ceftiofur and to evaluate the possible antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of NS in clinically endometritic cows. A total of 30 clinically endometritic cows (10 cows in each group) were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: an i.u. infusion of 100 mL of methanol extract of NS was given once a day during 3 days in group NS; an i.u. infusion of a 20-mL suspension (Excenel®, Pfizer) containing 1 g of ceftiofur as ceftiofur hydrochloride was given once a day during three days in group CH; cows with no treatment belonged to group C. After the treatment, there were slight vaginal discharges in 3/10 animals in group NS and 2/10 animals in group CH. GSH-Px and superoxide dismutase levels increased and malondialdehyde concentration decreased significantly (P