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

• Main Authors: B. I. Mohammed, H. A. Alzamily
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: College of Veterinary Medicine 2014-06-01
• Series: Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.qu.edu.iq/journalvm/index.php/vm_journal/article/view/274

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 the first group used as a control, received drinking water daily for 14 days from the 8th day of gestation till the delivery, while the animals in the 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. On the first day of parturition, litter weights have been measured, and (8) animals of each group were sacrificed, a blood sample was collected to measure the serum prolactin level. In addition, the litters were allocated into (8) litters per lactated dam. Then each group subdivided into two subgroups A and B according to continue or discontinue of received drugs, for 11days from parturition. Silymarin in a dose (200mg\kg) significantly increased litters body weight and serum prolactin level in a pregnant female rat (p< 0.05) is 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 a potential glactogoguse effect and enhance milk production.