IN VITRO AND IN VIVO SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF OZONIZED OLIVE OIL FOR THE TREATMENT OF NATURALLY OCCURRING ACUTE CLINICAL MASTITIS IN DAIRY COWS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Fabrizio Iarussi; Nicola Paradiso; Valentina De Monte; Flora Ferri; Federica Ferulli; Mariano Francesco Caratozzolo; Martina Calvino; Alice Carbonari; Paola Paradies

Fabrizio Iarussi Università degli studi di Bari
Nicola Paradiso Private Veterinary Practitioner
Valentina De Monte Private Veterinary Practitioner, Bari
Flora Ferri Private Biological Practitioner, Lecce, Italy
Federica Ferulli BioBasic Europe-Vitro Laboratory, University of Pavia, Italy
Mariano Francesco Caratozzolo Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM) at National Research Council (CNR), Bari, Italy
Martina Calvino Private Veterinary Practitioner, Bari, Italy
Alice Carbonari Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
Paola Paradies Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Production. University of Bari "Aldo Moro". Italy

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; bovine mastitis; ozonized olive oil; somatic cell count (SCC)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical concern in livestock health, necessitating alternative therapies to reduce antibiotic use, especially for non-severe bovine mastitis. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of ozonized extra virgin olive oil as a potential alternative treatment for acute clinical mastitis in dairy cows. In vitro analyses assessed its safety regarding skin irritation, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity. In vivo, 40 lactating Friesian cows with mastitis were divided into two groups: one treated with ozonized olive oil and the other with a cefapirin/prednisolone-based suspension. The oil was non-irritating and showed notable protective effects, though no direct antimicrobial activity was observed. Clinically, 80% of cows treated with ozonized olive oil achieved symptom remission, while 100% of those receiving antibiotics improved. Somatic cell counts (SCC) decreased in both groups, with a faster reduction in the antibiotic group. Four cows treated with ozonized olive oil required subsequent antibiotic therapy. The findings suggest ozonized olive oil as a promising, non-antibiotic option for managing mild to moderate mastitis, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. However, antibiotics remain necessary for severe cases or those involving systemic infection. This approach could support more sustainable dairy farming practices while addressing public health concerns about antibiotic resistance.