Polyherbal formula (ASILACT®) induces Milk production in lactating rats through Upregulation of α-Lactalbumin and aquaporin expression

Abstract

Background Polyherbal 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. Methods Thirty 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. Result The 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. Conclusion The study suggested that PHF has potentially to induce galactagogue activity on lactating period through upregulation of LALBA and AQP genes at the mRNA level.

Acute toxicity of the galactagogue phytomedicine containing Sauropus androgynous, Trigonella foenumgraecum, and Moringa oleifera

“…This preparation has been produced by a herbal medicine industry (PT Swayasa Prakarsa, Yogyakarta, Indonesia) according to the good manufacturing practice for herbal medicine guideline. The galactagogue activity and its mechanism of actions of this herbal preparation were also proven in the preclinical studies [20][21] . In order to be phytomedicine approved National Agency of Drug and Food Control of Republic of Indonesia (NA-DFC RI), evaluation of its safety and efficacy of this herbal preparation is necessary.…”

“…In order to develop a phytomedicine for galactagogue, the herbal preparation containing combination of extracts of S. androgynus folium, T. foenum graceum seeds, and M. oleifera folium has been successfully developed. Moreover, this herbal preparation was proven to be able to stimulate the production of milk in lactating rats through upregulation of mRNA smooth muscle α-actin (ACTA2), cytokeratin 14 (CK14), α-lactalbumin and aquaporin expression [20][21] . However, toxicity evaluation of this herbal preparation has not been conducted, yet.…”

“…The herbal preparation was developed and produced by PT Swayasa Prakarsa, a traditional medicinal industry located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, following the good manufacturing practice for herbal medicine. The herbal preparation (per 100 mg) contains combination of extracts of 60 mg S. androgynus folium, 30 mg T. foenum graceum seeds, and 10 mg M. oleifera folium [20][21] .…”

Effect of <i>Katuk</i> Leaves (<i>Sauropus androgynus</i> (L.) Merr) on Breast Milk Production

“…It is because papaverine can dilate blood vessels and relax muscles, resulting in the circulation of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin through the bloodstream. 18 Papaverine acts on smooth muscle, blood vessels, and heart muscle. These compounds act on betaadrenergic receptors by intermediary cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-similarly, prostaglandins are a group of compounds in eicosanoids.…”

Aquaporins in Glandular Secretion

“…In mammary glands with mastitis, proinflammatory cytokines reduce milk production possibly by inducing decreased AQP3 expression [256]. Higher AQP3 expression induced by polyherbal formula accounts for increased milk production in rats [257]. AQPs are likely to play a role in mammary tumors and breast cancer [107,258,259].…”