Vol. 9, Issue 8, Part L (2025)

The present study, entitled ‘Analysis of Hematological and Oxidative Stress Parameters in the Rat Experimental Mastitis Model’, was conducted to evaluate hematological changes and oxidative stress-related alterations in the mastitis model. Staphylococcus aureus-induced experimental rat mastitis model and to assess the efficacy of Allium cepa ethanolic extract and Cefuroxime sodium in mastitis. The mastitis model was developed by intra-mammary inoculation of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria 10 μL (1.5 × 10⁴ CFU/mL) in the left fourth, left fifth (L4, L5) and right fourth, right fifth (R4, R5) teat of lactating female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). The cup borer method is used for the confirmation of the dose rate herbal drug against bacteria. A total of 40 rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as a normal/healthy control. Group II served as vehicle control in which sterile deionized water @ 10 μL per mammary gland was infused via the intra-mammary route. S. aureus culture of 10 μL (1.5 × 10⁴ CFU/mL) per mammary gland was given via the intra-mammary route to induce mastitis in groups III, IV and V. Development of mastitis was confirmed by marked swelling, hardness and reddening at the teat area. After the development of mastitis, group III was kept as the mastitis control (disease control) group and no treatment was given. After the development of mastitis, group IV rats were treated with Allium cepa ethanolic extract @ 10 µL (50 mg/mL concentration) per mammary gland via the intra-mammary route, while group V rats were treated with Cefuroxime sodium infusion @ 10 µL (10 µg/mL concentration) per mammary gland via intra-mammary route for 5 days continuously. All the intra-mammary inoculations/infusions were made in the left fourth, left fifth (L4, L5) and right fourth, right fifth (R4, R5) teat of rats. The mastitis control group showed decreased values of TEC, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC and lymphocytes and increased values of PCV, TLC, neutrophils, eosinophils, and platelets as compared to their normal counterparts (i.e., Group I). The Allium cepa ethanolic extract-treated group showed non-significantly decreased values of TEC, PCV, MCV, TLC, neutrophils and platelets and increased values of Hb, MCH, and lymphocyte as compared to the mastitis disease control group. The haematological effects of Cefuroxime sodium were comparable to those of Allium cepa extract. The present research was designed to evaluate the haematological changes and oxidative stress-related alterations associated with Staphylococcus aureus-induced experimental rat mastitis model and to evaluate the efficacy of Allium cepa extract and Cefuroxime sodium to counteract the same.