• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.445-451
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• 2020

Purpose: Breastfeeding is the optimal method for feeding a newborn. But insufficient breast milk is the major reason why mothers give up breastfeeding. Herbal galactagogues have been used increasingly to treat postpartum hypogalactia. This study examined the effect of an herbal tea containing Chrysanthemum indicum, as the main ingredient, on milk production in lactating rats. Methods: The herbal tea contained C. indicum (27%), Foeniculum vulgare Mill (21%), Pimpinella anisum (18.2%), Carum carvi (16.1%), Urtica dioica (14.7%), and Gardenia jasminoides (3%). Sixteen lactating Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into 2 groups, the normal control group (NC; n = 8), and the galactagogue herbal tea group (GHT; n = 8) for 7 days. Lactating rats were administered the decoction of an herbal galactagogue mixture by oral gavage or the same amount of distilled water and milk production was assessed by measuring the pups' weights during the suckling period. The blood concentrations of prolactin, cortisol, oxytocin levels and mammary gland tissues were examined to assess the effects of the galactagogue. Results: Milk production was 9.2% higher in the GHT group given the herbal tea than in the NC group and the difference was statistically significant. The cortisol level in the GHT group was 17.2% higher than the NC group. The herbal tea containing C. indicum increased the size of the alveoli epithelium cells and the mammary lobe. Conclusion: The present study revealed the potential of herbal tea containing C. indicum to enhance milk production in postpartum SD rats.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-52
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• 2016

Objectives :The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on factors related the expression of aquaporins (AQP) and milk production after administration of Boheotang-gagam in lactating mice. Methods: The SKH-1 mice were randomly allocated to the control group which was administered with distilled water for two weeks after the parturition and the experimental groups such as, lactating+400G group (L400G) which was administered with Boheotang-gagam 400 mg/day, lactating+600G group (L600G) which was administered with 600 mg/day for two weeks after the parturition, and 400G+lactating+400G group (400G-L400G) which was administered with 400 mg/day for 3 weeks starting one week prior to parturition for experiment (n=6 per group). Results: 1. With regard to the immunohistochemical staining reaction for AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5, stronger immune response was also showed in mammary gland in all experimental groups as compared to the control group. AQP1 showed stronger immune response in the capillaries and venules which were located around the interlobular duct, while stronger immune response of AQP3 and AQP5 showed in the secretory alveolar epithelia and intralobular and interlobular ductal epithelial cells. 2. In the western blot, L400G group showed the most increased expression followed by L600G and then 400G-L400G group in AQP1. In AQP3, the order of expression density was observed as L600G, 400G-L400G and L400G group. Lastly, in AQP5, L400G group presented the most increased expression followed by L600G and 400G-L400G group. Conclusions: Boheotang-gagam would have the effect of increasing the lactation of mice after the birth by increasing the prolactin level and adjusting the expression of AQPs and prolactin receptor in the mammary glands.