Pulsatilla saponin B4 Helps Treat Mastitis in Dairy Cows

Jenn Hoskins
3rd September, 2025

Pulsatilla saponin B4 Helps Treat Mastitis in Dairy Cows

Photograph of a Holstein Friesian (dairy) cow.

Photo adapted from: Ellywa / CC BY SA (Source)

Key Findings

  • This study, conducted in China with Holstein cows, investigated Pulsatilla saponin B4 (PSB4) as a treatment for clinical mastitis (CM)
  • PSB4 effectively reduced body temperature and increased milk yield in diseased cows, performing similarly to the antibiotic ceftiofur sodium
  • PSB4 inhibited the growth of common mastitis-causing bacteria and restored key immune markers to levels seen in healthy cows, improving antioxidant status
Clinical mastitis (CM), an inflammation of the mammary gland, is a common and costly disease in dairy cows, significantly impacting milk production and farm profitability. Traditionally, treatment relies heavily on antibiotics, but increasing concerns about antibiotic resistance and residue issues are driving the search for alternative therapies. Recent research from Gansu Agricultural University, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu Xin Hai Ying Lu Biological Medicine Technology Co., Ltd, and University of Agriculture Faisalabad[1] investigates the potential of a natural compound, Pulsatilla saponin B4 (PSB4), as a treatment for CM. The study involved 40 cows diagnosed with CM, alongside 20 healthy cows as a control group. The diseased cows were split into two treatment groups of 20 each: one receiving PSB4 via neck intramuscular injection, and the other receiving ceftiofur sodium, a common antibiotic, also via injection. The normal control group received a saline injection. The treatment period lasted seven days, with researchers closely monitoring body temperature, milk yield, and various biological markers in blood and milk samples. The core problem addressed by this study is the need for effective, antibiotic-alternative treatments for mastitis. As herd sizes increase, relying on visual observation alone to detect sick cows becomes increasingly difficult[2]. This necessitates more proactive methods, such as sensor technologies to monitor behavioural changes and indicators like milk composition, which are affected by disease[2][3]. However, even with these tools, effective treatment remains crucial. The findings of demonstrate that PSB4 effectively lowered body temperature in diseased cows, bringing it back to normal levels. Critically, it also led to a significant increase in milk yield compared to the untreated cows. This is particularly important, as mastitis is known to cause substantial milk losses[4]. The study also showed PSB4 inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria – microorganisms that cause disease – in the cows’ udders. Beyond these core effects, PSB4 treatment significantly restored several key immune system indicators. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) – a marker of inflammation – and several cytokines (signalling molecules that regulate immune responses, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) returned closer to those of healthy cows. The study also observed increases in immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) – antibodies that help fight infection. Furthermore, PSB4 positively impacted the cows’ antioxidant status, increasing levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) – a marker of oxidative stress. Mastitis is associated with increased oxidative stress, so restoring antioxidant balance is beneficial. Finally, the study found that various blood parameters, indicative of overall health, also returned to normal levels in the PSB4-treated group. The researchers found that PSB4 showed a therapeutic effect comparable to that of the antibiotic ceftiofur sodium. This is significant because it suggests PSB4 could be a viable alternative to antibiotics in managing CM. The study's focus on restoring immune function and reducing inflammation aligns with the understanding that sickness behaviour in dairy cows involves changes in these key physiological areas[2]. The findings of also build upon previous research highlighting the value of analysing milk constituents for disease detection and management[3]. While this study focused on the treatment of mastitis, the indicators measured – such as SCC and changes in immune factors – are also relevant for early detection and monitoring of the disease. The study’s success in restoring these indicators suggests that monitoring them could also be used to assess the effectiveness of PSB4 treatment in real-world farm settings.

MedicineAgricultureAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Efficacy of Pulsatilla saponin B4 for treatment dairy cows affected with clinical mastitis

Published 2nd September, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331151

Related Studies

2) Alterations in sick dairy cows' daily behavioural patterns.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02902

3) Invited review: technical solutions for analysis of milk constituents and abnormal milk.

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2565

4) Associations of the first occurrence of pathogen-specific clinical mastitis with milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows.

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029918000456


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