Lactation suppression effect of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melengueta on female albino rats

Abstract

Background and aims: Alligator pepper, a dietary spice used as food flavor enhancer is a common ingredient in pepper soup, a spicy delight in most parts of West Africa and possesses both medicinal and nutritive properties. Despite the well documented benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants, there are a variety of medical situations for which breastfeeding is contraindicated. Therefore, lactation suppression might be indicated for the best interest of the mother and/or infant. This study was undertaken to investigate the Lactation suppression effect of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum Melengueta on female albino rats. Methodology: Thirty (30) adult female albino rats weighing 160 to 200 g were used for the study while eighteen (18) albino mice of body weights (b.w.) range of 25 g to 30 g were used for the preliminary acute toxicity test. Male rats were introduced into the female rat cages of groups II-V within 12h at the expected estrous phase for mating and withdrawn thereafter. Groups I, II and III were orally administered distilled water only, while Groups IV and V received oral doses of 5 µg/kg b.w. Carbagoline and 3,000 mg/kg b.w. aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta respectively 24 hours postpartum once daily by oral gavage for 3 days. Results: LD50 determination revealed no death was recorded among the animals up to 5000 mg extract/kg body weight. Study indicates that Aframomum melengueta extract elicited significant reduction of prolactin with corresponding increase in estrogen and progesterone in postpartum animals. Histological sections of the mammary gland show extensive fibrosis and congested ducts lobular units within the tissue stroma of the mammary gland of Aframomum melengueta treated animals. Conclusion: The results confirms a positive lactation suppression effect of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum Melengueta on postpartum lactating female albino rats