Abstract
BackgroundPolyherbal formula (PHF) contains extract of Sauropus androgynous (L.) Merr., Trigonella foenum-graceum L., and Moringa oleifera Lam. considered to induce galactagogue activity. This research aimed to evaluate the galactagogue activity of PHF and its effects on α-lactalbumin (LALBA) as well as aquaporin (AQP) gene expression at messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in mammary glands of lactating rats.MethodsThirty lactating Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6), each has 7 pups. Group I was treated orally with distilled water as negative control. Groups II, III, and IV were orally administered with PHF at 26.25, 52.5 and 105 mg/kg/day, respectively. Group V was treated with domperidone 2.7 mg/kg/day, orally as positive control. The treatment was performed at third day until fifteenth day of parturition. The observed parameters include the galactagogue activity indicating by milk yield of lactating rats, the pup weight changes and lactating rats body weight changes during lactating period, mRNA expression of LALBA and AQP using quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and histopathological analysis of mammary glands at the end of treatment period.ResultThe result showed that the PHF groups (52.5 and 105 mg/kg/day) and domperidone were significantly increased milk production of lactating rats (p < 0.05). The levels of mRNA expression of LALBA and AQPs were significantly upregulated by 105 mg/kg/day of PHF or 2.7 mg/kg of domperidone administration (p < 0.0001). Histopathological analysis of mammary glands shows that alveoli diameter was increase 14.59 and 19.33% at 105 mg/kg of PHF and 2.7 mg/kg of domperidone treatment, respectively.ConclusionThe study suggested that PHF has potentially to induce galactagogue activity on lactating period through upregulation of LALBA and AQP genes at the mRNA level.
Highlights
Polyherbal formula (PHF) contains extract of Sauropus androgynous (L.) Merr., Trigonella foenumgraceum L., and Moringa oleifera Lam. considered to induce galactagogue activity
Galactagogue activity of the PHF Milk production in the groups treated with the PHF and domperidone was higher than those in the control group (Fig. 1 a)
The groups to which PHF was administered at 26.25, 52.5, and 105 mg/kg were 0.28 ± 0.04, 0.34 ± 0.04, and 0.34 ± 0.05 g/pup per day, respectively, while the group that was treated with the positive control was 0.37 ± 0.054 g/pup per day
Summary
Polyherbal formula (PHF) contains extract of Sauropus androgynous (L.) Merr., Trigonella foenumgraceum L., and Moringa oleifera Lam. considered to induce galactagogue activity. Herbal galactagogues are widely used as traditional adjuvants to increase milk production in lactating mothers, especially among Indonesians. (Moringaceae) leaf (locally known as kelor) are well-known plants available throughout Indonesia and commonly used to increase milk production in lactating mothers. T. foenum-graceum, widely recognized across the world as fenugreek, is commonly used as a galactagogue. The seeds of this plant can significantly increase the proliferation of mammary glands in female mice [4, 5]. Previous research has evidenced that milk volume in mothers increases after they receive M. oleifera leaf extract [6]. Considering the ability of these individual plants to increase milk production, a polyherbal formula (PHF) is expected to enhance their therapeutic action and to reduce the necessary concentration of individual plants, resulting in lower toxicity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
