The study was conducted at Ayodhya and Amethi districts of U.P. Samples were collected from lactating buffaloes with the history of reduced in milk yield but no visible physical abnormality in udder and changes in milk. On the basis of stratified random sampling. Two blocks were selected from each districts followed by two villages from each block and twenty five samples were collected from each village. A thorough examination of udder will be performed for the detection of any abnormality in the udder like the presence of any lesion, heat, pain and swelling. Milk from each quarter will withdraw for detecting the abnormality in the milk like colour and consistency. Such examination was continued until final selection of those buffaloes, which revealed sub clinical signs.

The milk samples (about 10 ml) was collected after washing the udder and teat with antiseptic solution (potassium permanganate) and thoroughly wiping with dry clean cloth in a sterile container from each quarter after discarding first 2 to 3 milking stream. The samples were brought in ice pack for bacteriological examinations.

Battery of tests namely White side test (Fig. 1) and California mastitis test were used to detect sub clinical mastitis in buffaloes and those samples that showing strong positive reaction were selected for isolation of S. aureus. The CMT is performed to detect the presence of sub clinical infections. White side test and somatic cell count were performed using slandered procedures as described by (Schalm et al. 1971).

Milk samples was incubated in sterile nutrient broth at 37°C for 24 hrs to check growth of bacteria; and then grown bacteria were streaked on mannitol salt agar (MSA) plate and incubated in incubator, the grown bacterial colony was tested for Gram’s staining. Gram positive bacteria were transferred to nutrient agar slant and biochemical test namely (Catalase, Nitrate reduction test, Coagulase, IMViC etc) were performed followed by Beta- Hemolysis in Blood agar.

Identification of S. aureus was carried out according to (Talan et al., 1989), where each sample of milk was directly inoculated into mannitol salt agar (MSA) and incubated at 37ºC for 24 hrs (Fig. 2). Mannitol fermented colony from primary cultures were purified by subculture into nutrient agar slants and incubated at 37 ºC for 24-48 hour and stored at 4°C until further use. Gram stain slides were investigated (Fig. 3) according to Barrow and Felltham, 2003. For biochemical characterization of S. aureus, Methyl Red test, Voges-Proskaur test, Catalase test, Slide and Tube coagulase test, Nitrate reduction test and haemolysis on blood agar were performed.

Emblica officinalis fruit were collected from local market, deseeded, dried in shed and then powdered. The powder was soaked in ethanol solvent for 48 hour and processed by soxhlet extractor for extraction of E.O. fruit. It was finally filtered by Whatman Filter Paper No. 1 for a clear solution of Emblica officinalis fruit powder. Filtrate was concentrated in incubator at 45°C to obtain the final extract. The extract was stored under 4°C until the preparation of E. O. discs. Lastly the prepared disc of Emblica officinalis will be soaked in different concentration of Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO) and Antibiotic sensitivity test (ABST) was carried out with comparing antibiotic disc.

A stock solution of E.O. extracts was prepared by dissolving 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 125 mg, 150 mg, 175 mg, 200 mg, and 225 mg of extract with one ml of their respective solvents (sterile distilled water and 99.9 percent dimethyl sulfoxide) was mixed and finally make the 25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 75 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 125 mg/ ml, 150 mg/ml, 175 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, 225 mg/ml have then used to impregnate in sterilized blank discs who were cut with the help of commercial punch machine (Bauer et al., 1996). Distilled water and dimethyl sulfoxide-loaded discs were used as negative controls for aqueous and ethanolic extracts respectively. All impregnated discs were ensured to be fully dried in 45 ºC in incubator for 18 to 24 hour prior to the application on bacterial lawn. The standard antibiotic disc used as positive controls for all S. aureus strains.

Diffusion technique was used to assess in vitro efficacy of Emblica Officinalis. In vitro efficacy of disc prepared from ethanolic extract of E.O. at different concentrations 100 mg/ml DMSO (EO-100), 125 mg/ml DMSO (EO-125), 150 mg/ml DMSO (EO-150), 175 mg/ml DMSO (EO-175), 200 mg/ml DMSO (EO-200) and 225 mg/ml DMS (EO-225) were studied against 20 isolates of S. aureus. Zone of inhibition was measured and used to compare the in vitro efficacy. The zone ranged between 10-13 mm with maximum zone of 13 mm observed in 200 and 225 mg/ml DMSO disc, followed by 12 mm in 175 and 150 mg/ml DMSO disc, 11 mm in 125 mg/ml DMSO disc and 10 mm in 100 mg/ml DMSO disc. The details are given in table 2.

As maximum sensitivity was recorded against oxytetracycline antibiotic disc, it was taken as standard disc to compare the in-vitro efficacy of disc prepared from ethanolic extract of E.O. at 175 mg/ml DMSO and 200 mg/ml DMSO concentration. The zone of inhibition was in decreasing order as Oxytetracycline (13 mm) followed by Methicillin (11 mm), E.O.-200 (11 mm), EO-175 (10 mm), Erythromycin (10 mm), Ampicillin and Cloxacillin (resistant).The antibiotic resistance pattern given in Fig. 4.

The results indicate that the sensitivity pattern for E.O. at 200 and 175 mg/ml DMSO concentration was comparable with the standard antibiotics in Methicillin sensitive S. aureus. In Methicillin Resistant S. aureus isolates, the zone of inhibition was in the order Oxytetracycline (15 mm) followed by EO-200 (13 mm), and Methicillin, Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Ofloxacin, E.O. 50 are resistance (Fig. 5).

(1) Erythromycin disc (2) Amla Disc (3) Gentamicin disc (4) Ampicillin disc (5) Cloxacillin disc (6) Streptomycin disc (7) Methicillin disc

Methicillin resistance has been earlier reported from this region by (Ankita and Nimali, 2015; Yadav et al., 2017). Yadav et al. (2017) reported Methicillin resistance in 18.58 percent animals. The isolation of MRSA has been reported from mastitic milk from various parts of world including India (Asrat et al., 2013). However earlier study by (Chandrashekhran et al., 2015) had reported 5.11 percent MRSA in cows. The details of MIC Range of S. aureus are given in Fig. 6. and 7.

Multi Drug Resistance was found in 100 percent of isolates S. aureus which indicate indiscriminate use of antimicrobial agents and poor manage mental practices. Multiple drug resistance has emerged among bacterial infection in last few years. There are large numbers of cases from different parts of the world that describe increased trend of developing multiple resistance strains (Rinsky et al., 2013). Yadav et al. (2017) had also reported 100percent multi drug resistance in this region. Among the 140 S. aureus isolated from mastitic milk, 27 isolates (19.28 percent) showed resistance against 2 antibiotics, 20 (14.28 percent) isolates were resistance to 3 antibiotics, 33 isolates (23.58 percent) were resistant to 4 antibiotics. 40 (28.57 percent) isolates were found resistant against 5 antibiotics. 7 (5 percent) isolates each were resistant to 6 and 7 antibiotics. 6 isolates (4.28 percent) were resistant to 8 antibiotics.

Ankur et al. (2011) also reported 23.52 percent isolates to be resistance to 2 antibiotics, 19.11 percent isolates to be resistance to 3 antibiotics, 2 isolates to be resistance to 4 antibiotics, 1 isolates to be resistance to 5 antibiotics among 36 isolates. The multiple drug resistance in Staphylococcal was also reported by other workers (Elango et al., 2010). In the recent past, it was very strongly suggested that the indiscriminate use of antibiotic must be avoided and for clinical treatment, a proper analysis of antibiotic profile of the bacteria should be ascertained before using any antibiotic (Elango et al., 2010).

Among S. aureus, Methicillin-Resistant Strains (MRSA) has recently emerged as a serious life threatening infective agent which does not respond to a lot of antimicrobial treatments (Kamal et al., 2013). The causes of antibiotic resistance is explained by several authors and reported numerous mechanisms of conferring resistance such as antibiotic-resistant genes, mutation, clonal evolution and plasmid transfer, target site alteration of ribosome, metabolic pathway alteration, efflux pumps and enzymatic cleavage of antibiotics.

The Methicillin resistance has emerged as an important genetic trade in the S. aureus which is causing many complications in clinical management of infections caused by S. aureus. The reports on MRSA have been given by many scientists from the various parts of India. (Germa et al., 2015). Tissue invading organisms, such as coagulase-positive Staphylococci, become walled off in the udder parenchyma by thick fibrous scar tissue, deep-seated abscesses or gain a refuge within the acid phagolysosome of macrophages and neutrophils. Therefore, antimicrobials cannot reach the MCO and failure may occur even when the organisms are sensitive to the antimicrobial used. This may be partly due to the pH of the phagolysosome being around pH=4 leading to low metabolic activity of the MCO preventing the drug from being fully effective. In other words, penetrability of the mammary gland by an antimicrobial becomes essential for evaluation of the potential therapeutic value of any intramammary preparation. Antimicrobials may penetrate these cells poorly and even when they gain access to the cell, may not distribute into phagolysosome (Du Preez 2000; Sol et al., 2000; Erskine et al., 2003). In chronic S. aureus mastitis cases, development of localized scar tissue which does not have blood vessels is promoted, meaning that intramuscular and intravenous injections probably provide little benefit and pose difficult therapeutic problems (Du Preez 1988; Du Preez 2000; Erskine et al., 2003). Therapy may kill the organisms that are not walled off, but at a later date, the organisms within the scar tissue can break out, multiply, cause additional damage to the udder secretary tissue and promote further formation of scar tissue. When antimicrobial treatment is administered, such MCOs may not come into contact with the drug and are therefore not killed (Du Preez 1988, Sandholm et al., 1990; Erskine et al., 2003). Selecting the wrong and ineffective antimicrobial agent, such as penicillin to treat β-lactamase-producing S. aureus or Bacteroides fragilis (Du Preez 1988; Sandholm et al., 1990; Erskine et al., 2003) can results in treatment failure.

The present study suggests antibacterial activity of Emblica officinalis against Methicillin sensitive and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a major step in use of E.O. as a potent phyto-therapeutic agent in treatment of mastitis. The zone of inhibition was in decreasing order as Oxytetracycline (13mm) followed by Methicillin (11mm), E.O.-200 (11mm), EO-175 (10mm) Erythromycin (10mm) and Ampicillin (resistant).

In Methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates, the zone of inhibition was in the order Oxytetracycline followed by EO-200, Methicillin and Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Ofloxacin were resistant suggesting efficacy of E. officinalis even when multidrug resistance occurs. Ayurveda, which is the oldest health system in the world, appreciates and uses E.O. to treat a host of diseases and promote positive health. The active ingredient that has significant pharmacological action in this is designated by Indian scientist as “Phyllemblin”. The fruit is rich in quercetin, phyllaemblic compounds, gallic acid, tannins, flavonoids, pectin, and vitamin C and also contains various polyphenolic compounds. A wide range of phytochemical components including terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins have been shown to posses’ useful biological (Kim et al., 2005; Arora et al., 2003).

Emblica officinalis is known to possess potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus(Reghu and Ravindra, 2010; Dhale and Mogle, 2011; Patil et al., 2012; Varghese et al., 2013), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, K. ozaenae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B and Serratia marcescens(Saeed and Tariq, 2007) . Emblica is an excellent antioxidant and free radical scavenger (Bhattacharya et al., 2002; Anila and Vijayalakshmi, 2003). Vitamin C in Emblica officinalis accounts for approximately 45-70percent of the antioxidant activity (Scartezzini et al., 2006). Apart from traditional uses, there are several reports in the pharmacological actions of E.O. based on modern scientific investigations, especially anti-inflammatory action (Madhuri et al., 2011). Antimicrobial action (Rajeshkumar et al., 2001), anti-oxidant action (Akhtar et al., 2011) anti-ulcerogenic action (Anil et al., 2012) anti-diabetic action (Vaidya, 2006), analgesic action (Ghosh, 2008), and hepato protective action (Shymala, 2003).

The potential biological properties of Emblica officinalis remain untrapped in the animal health sector. The complete package of antibacterial, anti oxidant, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, hepato-protective properties in one wonder drug can thus be of immense use in the prevention and treatment of innumerable health disorders, mastitis being one of them.

The varied literature on the medicinal plant reveals that the plant E.O. have the antibacterial (Hossain, et al., 2012 ; Philip et al., 2012), antifungal (Hossain et al., 2012, Mehmood et al., 1999) and antioxidant properties (Golechha et al., 2012). The potent anti inflammatory activity of Emblica officinalis was earlier established by (Golechha and Mahaveer, 2014; Yokozawa, 2007; Kumar et al., 2013). Reghu and Ravindra (2010) had revealed the inhibitory activity of E.O. extracts to the growth of S. aureus. Saeed and Tariq (2007) also observed potent antibacterial activity of aqueous infusion and decoction of Emblica officinalis against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, K. ozaenae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B and Serratia marcescens. Varghese et al.(2013) also observed maximal antibacterial activity against S. aureus for the fruit extract, comparable with that of the commonly used antibiotics having varied mode of action and were of the view that none of the antibiotics were superior to the Emblica officinalis extracts against Pseudomonas. The bactericidal activity of E. officinalis could be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in E. officinalis namely favonoids, phenols, saponins, and tannins such as emblicanin A and B which could be effectively employed as effective chemotherapeutic agents in antibacterial treatment and therapy (Javale and Sabnis, 2010; Jyothi and Rao, 2011).

The antioxidant activity of fruits of E. officinalis has been traced to its tannoid principles both in vitro and in vivo (Bhattacharya et al., 2002). The potent antioxidant properties of E.O. have also been confirmed by Hazara (2010). Vitamin C in Emblica officinalis accounts for approximately 45-70 percent of the antioxidant activity (Scartezzini et al., 2006). Chawla and Kaur (2004) showed that the elevated content of antioxidants in the blood of cows to a considerable degree protected them from metabolic diseases, including mastitis. Although ruminants can synthesize vitamin C in the liver and it is not considered to be an essential nutrient for healthy cattle, a large reduction in plasma vitamin C concentration was reported in lactating cow with artificially induced mastitis (Weiss et al., 2004). Khopde et al.(2001) reported that ascorbic acid and other polyphenols present in the natural formulation of E.O. showed much superior antioxidant activity compared to their equivalent amounts in pure isolated form.

Thus Emblica officinalis can be potentially incorporated in feeding schedule of lactating cattle to reduce the incidence of disease especially mastitis through improving nonspecific immunity of periparturient cows especially in areas where Emblica officinalis is in abundance, but it require further studies on standardization, formulation and mode of delivery to explore more beneficial effects. Plant products such as A. indica could be used as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial arsenal against the disease to reduce the burden of antibiotics. This is a preliminary trial indicating the beneficial effect of the herb against intra mammary infusion; it can be developed as an alternative therapy where the use of antibiotics is normally not recommended.

Phytobiotics, herbal plant bioactive compounds, have been used in human and veterinary medicine to prevent diseases, enhance performance in stress-related syndromes, and increase resistance against infections (Rochfort et al., 2008). Phytobiotics are largely used in ruminant nutrition due to their antimicrobial (Khiaosa-ard and Zebeli, 2013) and strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It has been demonstrated that synergism between phytobiotics in herbal plants are mainly responsible for their potent health-enhancing properties. Therefore, combinations of antioxidants with possible synergism are preferred for preventing free-radical-induced disorders. New evidence suggests that phytobiotics supplementation may be more efficient in animals that are under physiologic or environmental stress conditions (Gobert et al., 2009).