Cashew Tree (Anacardium occidentale): An Effective Treatment for Cattle Dermatitis

Overview

Dermatitis due to scabies is a common skin disease in cattle. Dermatitis causes economical loss in terms of abrogated levels of milk, meat and hides production. Available drugs are either chemical pesticides or synthetic chemicals which are directly harmful to cattle and indirectly to human health. There is a need to develop a novel formulation from natural source which is ecofriendly, efficacious, easily available, prepared and cost effective. Anacardium occidentale or cashew tree, having Cashew nut shell oil containing Anacardic acid (90%) having multiple medicinal properties like antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal and the tree bark containing phyto-chemicals like flavonoids, phenols, tannins are explored for preparation of herbal ointment. Cashew nut shell oil mixed with concentrated aqueous tree bark extract in I:I ratio was blended with petroleum jelly in I:4 ratio to get an ointment of desired consistency. After consultation with a Veterinary doctor, this formulation was tried on crossbred cows in having mild, acute and chronic form of dermatitis due to scabies and sometimes aggravated with secondary bacterial infection and fly bite allergy. The efficacy is evaluated by comparing with standard known drug and was found to be equally efficacious in mild, acute and chronic form. It was also efficacious in scabies with secondary bacterial infection unlike standard drug and was found to be economical.

Competition history

• ISEF 2014 Cellular and Molecular Biology · Entry AS056

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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