Moringa Extract Attenuates Inflammatory Responses and Increases Gene Expression of Casein in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Bovine mastitis, an inflammatory disease in the udder of dairy cows, is a common disease that causes low quantity and quality of bovine milk. Treatment and prevention of bovine mastitis still rely on antibiotics. However, concerns about excessive use of antibiotics have been raised due to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, natural products possessing protective effects in bovine udder have gained a lot of interests. Our objective was to investigate the possibility of Moringa oleifera extract (ME) in protecting bovine epithelial mammary cells. Our results demonstrated that methanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaves has beneficial effects in bovine mammary epithelial cells through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and casein production properties. Data suggest that moringa extract could be a good feed supplement for protecting the udder of cows from inflammatory responses due to mastitis. ABSTRACT: Bovine mastitis is a common inflammatory disease in the udder of dairy cows that causes economic loss to dairy industries. The development of alternative strategies, especially the utilization of natural products, e.g., Moringa oleifera, has gained a lot of interests. The objective of the current study was to investigate the protective effects of moringa extract (ME) in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) in in vitro settings. Radical scavenging capacities and anti-inflammatory properties of ME were examined using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged MAC-T cells. ME showed significant radical scavenging activities. In addition, ME decreased reactive oxygen species produced by LPS in cells. ME also attenuated inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 expression induced by LPS by down-regulating NF-κB signaling cascade. Moreover, ME ameliorated LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. Furthermore, ME up-regulated mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1, and thioredoxin reductase 1. Importantly, ME promoted differentiated MAC-T cells by increasing mRNA expression levels of α-casein S1, α-casein S2, and β-casein. In conclusion, ME has beneficial effects in bovine mammary epithelial cells through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and casein production properties. Our study provides evidence that ME could be a good candidate for a feed supplement to decrease inflammatory responses due to bovine mastitis.