Abstract
As a traditional veterinary medicine to promote lactation, Cui Nai Ling (CNL) can not only increase milk supply and promote health but also improve the overall physiological function and immunity of the animals. In order to further improve CNL's effect on lactation, we have previously made a new CNL (NCNL) by adding Tetrapanacis Medulla and replacing Vaccariae Semen with fried Vaccariae Semen in CNL. We have demonstrated that the lactation-promoting effect of NCNL is better than that of CNL. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NCNL promotes lactation are unclear. In this study, we performed metabolomics, network pharmacology, and pharmacodynamic studies to explore the underlying mechanisms by which NCNL promotes lactation in rats with bromocriptine-induced hypogalactia. The results showed that NCNL significantly improved the loss of appetite in female adult rats and the weight loss of pups caused by the disorder of lactation. Biochemical analysis showed that NCNL could regulate the levels of PRL, T4, E2, Ca, UREA, GLU, ALT, AST, TCHO, and TG in serum. The pathological results showed that NCNL could promote lactation and increase the mammary gland index by improving breast acinar tissue morphology in rats with hypogalactia. Network pharmacology studies showed that NCNL promotes lactation through P13K-Akt, insulin resistance, and prolactin signaling pathways, among which the most frequently affected pathway was the P13K-Akt signaling pathway. Metabolomics studies showed that NCNL can significantly upregulate phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis and tyrosine metabolism pathways and downregulate cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways. NCNL can significantly increase the serum prolactin concentration, improve the glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and regulate PI3K-Akt, insulin resistance, and prolactin pathways to affect the amino acids' metabolism in the mammary gland and ultimately exert its therapeutic effect on bromocriptine-induced postpartum hypogalactia. These findings revealed the effect and application value of NCNL on animals with postpartum hypogalactia.
Highlights
China is one of the important origins of plant cultivation, animal breeding, and medicine in the world
Ese results indicated that body weight of the adult rats did not change significantly after postpartum hypogalactia was induced or after Cui Nai Ling (CNL), NCNLL, and NCNLH administration
Compared with the control group, the total weight of the pups in the NCNLL and NCNLH groups began to increase significantly at Day 5 and Day 6 (P < 0.05), respectively, after intragastric administration of new CNL (NCNL). ese results indicated that NCNLL and NCNLH can significantly improve the weight loss of pups caused by the impaired lactation of the adult rats
Summary
China is one of the important origins of plant cultivation, animal breeding, and medicine in the world. E production of veterinary chemical drugs and antibiotics has increased rapidly. CNL is a gray powder with fragrance and sweet taste It has the effects of invigorating Qi (gas), blood and the spleen, increasing appetite, and eliminating food accumulation. It is mainly used to treat livestock, especially hypogalactia or agalactia in dairy cows due to weak physique or postpartum spleen deficiency, lack of food, lack of Qi and blood, obstruction of meridians, and diarrhea. It can promote breast development, increase milk production and quality, and enhance immune function. We performed metabolomics, network pharmacology, and pharmacodynamic studies to explore the underlying mechanisms by which NCNL promotes lactation in rats with bromocriptine-induced hypogalactia. e results obtained in these studies were expected to provide theoretical bases for the clinical application of NCNL
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