A H Bandivdekar
National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, India
Title: Lactogenic activity of an aqueous extracts of herbal galactogogues
Biography
Biography: A H Bandivdekar
Abstract
Breastfeeding is known to be the effective method for reducing the infant’s malnutrition. Many traditional practices have been utilized for increasing milk quantity during lactation. Galactagogue from herbal remedies of Cyperus rotundus (Nagarmotha), Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), Gmelina arborea (Shiwan), Gossypium herbaceum (Kapashy), Ipomoea digitata (Bhui-kohala), Lepidium sativum (Aalive), Pennisetum americanum (Bajra), Ricinus communis (Castor) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi) are being considered to be promising herbals for induction of lactation. The study demonstrated that oral administration of Female rats with aqueous extract of these plants during their first lactation showed increase in pups body weight. The measurement of milk production during lactation was achieved by measuring pup weights during suckling period. Pup weight gain and weight of mother rats of extract treated groups were significantly higher than control group. About 30 to 50% more milk was produced in experimental group of animals as compared to that of the control groups of animal. The aqueous extracts of these plants were found to significantly stimulate the prolactin and maintaining the level of stress hormone i.e. cortisol. Additionally protein and carbohydrate content of mammary gland tissue were also significantly higher than control group of animals. In addition, the mammary gland tissues of experimental group showed obvious lobulo-alveolar development with milk secretion. Administration of aqueous extracts of these indigenous plants did not cause any signs or symptoms of toxicity in female rats at the highest dose up to 2000 mg/kg body weight. Also, significant changes were not observed in biochemical and histological profile of treated animals and controls, which implied that aqueous extracts of these indigenous plants are not harmful and toxicologically safe. The study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of these plants for stimulation of lactation in female rats and may be potential candidates for inducing lactation in women too.