Potential galactogogues effect of Silymarin: An experimental study in female rats

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the galactogogues effect of Silymarin in pregnant and lactating female rats. A total of 72 pregnant female Wistar rats randomly divided into 3 groups (24 rats of each). Rats in first group used as control, received drinking water daily for 14 days from 8th day of gestation till the delivery, while the animals in second group, received Metoclopramide (5mg\kg\day) as the same period. In addition to Silymarin group (treatment group) received Silymarin (200 mg\kg\day) as the same period. Dams’ body weights have been monitored throughout the pregnancy. At the first day of parturition, litter weights have been measured, and (8) animals of each groups were sacrificed, blood sample were collected to measure the serum prolactin level. In addition, the litters were allocated in to (8) litters per lactated dam. Then each group sub divided in to two sub groups A and B according to continue or discontinue of received drugs, for 11days from parturition. Silymarin in a dose (200mg\kg) was significantly increase litters body weight and serum prolactin level in pregnant female rat (p< 0.05) in compared with control and Metoclopramide groups. Silymarin and Metoclopramide during the eleventh day of lactation registered significant differences (P<0.05) in their serum prolactin concentration, litters weight gain compared with that stopped in receiving the treatment in the same group, whereas control subgroups revealed no significant (P>0.05) differences when compared with each other. It can be concluded that Silymarin has potential glactogoguse effect and enhance milk production