Effect of aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica ssp adansonii on milk production and prolactin release in the rat

Abstract

In view of the traditional belief that Acacia nilotica ssp adansonii (AN) can stimulate milk production in lactating women, experiments were performed to determine the effect of an aqueous extract of AN on milk production in rats. Female rats that received oral doses of aqueous extract of this plant during their first lactation produced about 59% more milk than controls (P<0·01). Pup weight gain was also significantly higher than that in the control group. A lower dose, comparable to that used by women to improve their milk yield, led to about 33% more milk with the same growth rate for pups as that in the high-dose group. The extract of AN was found to stimulate the synthesis and release of prolactin (PRL) significantly (P<0·05). In addition, the mammary glands of oestrogenprimed rats treated with the extract showed clear lobuloalveolar development with milk secretion. This study demonstrates that the aqueous extract of AN can stimulate milk production and PRL release in the female rat and could consequently have the properties claimed for lactating women.

Galactagogue Effect of &lt;i&gt;Euphorbia hirta&lt;/i&gt; (Euphorbiaceae) Aqueous Leaf Extract on Milk Production in Female Wistar Rats

“…Measuring the milk yield produced by a rat is usually very difficult. However, according to Lompo-Ouedraogo et al [20], it is possible to estimate this quantity of milk produced by carrying out different sessions of weighing of the pups. This method considers the pups as powerful vacuum cleaners capable of completely emptying the contents of the mammary glands.…”

“…According to Datti et al [19] and Lompo-Ouedraogo et al [20], the leaves of Hippocratea obtusofolia (Alismataceae) and Acacia nilotica ssp adansonii (Fabaceae) would be capable of inducing galactagogue activities in guinea pigs and rats, respectively. The work of Gbadamosi and Okolosi [21] helped to safeguard traditional knowledge about the use of several galactagogue plants.…”

Effect of Anise Seeds (Pimpinella Anisum L) and Active Dry Yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) Supplements as Feed Additives on the Productive Performance of Lactating Egyptian Buffaloes

“…While, milk protein content did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between treatments (Table 4 and Fig 4). In some reports, it was demonstrated that many plants increased milk production in animals through the induction of lactogenic hormone (prolactin) Lompo-Ouedraogo et al (2004) and Patel and Kanitkar, (1969). Some plants contain estrogenic substances such as anethole that increase the secretion of milk.…”

Lactogenic activity of Teramnus labialis (Linn.) fruit with special reference to the estimation of serum prolactin and cortisol level in nursing rats

“…Galactagogues have a profound effect on the mammary secretory cells proliferation which is used as an indicator of lactogenic activity. [21] Hence, the increase of rate of milk secretion in MTLF could be due to mammary secretory cell population and cellular activity. [2223] Milk consumption is responsible for body maintenance and growth of neonates.…”