Ethnoveterinary Importance of Herbal Galactogogues - a Review
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Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 REVIEW ARTICLE Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/May-2014/11.pdf Open Access Ethnoveterinary importance of herbal galactogogues - a review 1222 I. Mohanty , M. R. Senapati , D. Jena and P. C. Behera 1. Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture Technology, Bhubaneswar- 751003, Odisha, India; 2. Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture Technology, Bhubaneswar- 751003, Odisha, India. Corresponding author: I. Mohanty, email: [email protected], Cell: +91-8270846796 Received:03-02-2014, Revised: 10-04-2014, Accepted: 15-04-2014, Published online: 16-05-2014 doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.325-330 How to cite this article: Mohanty I, Senapati MR, Jena D and Behera PC (2014) Ethnoveterinary importance of herbal galactogogues - a review,Veterinary World 7(5): 325-330. Abstract Galactogogues elicit pharmacological effects, resulting in increased prolactin concentration through interactions with dopamine receptors and thereby augmenting milk supply. Commercially available synthetic drugs induce adverse effect on the neuro-endocrine axis of lactation physiology. Their prolonged uses have caused toxicity which opens a detrimental platform to normal health status of both human and animals. So the researchers have developed a keen interest in traditional herbs, because these are easily available, cheap and with a hope that they may not leave any toxic residues in milk. Phyto- pharmacological research on natural products can contribute for the discovery of new active compounds with novel structures which may serve as a lead for the development of new galactogogues.Although majority of these herbal preparations have not been evaluated their traditional use suggests that they are safe and effective. The purpose of this review paper was to succinctly review recent progress made in the field of commercially available and tranditional galactogogues. Keywords: agalactia, galactogogues, hypogalactia, phytonutrients, prolactin. Introduction potential to serve as a natural lead compound for Galactogogues are medications that aid in development of new galactogogues. Majority of these initiating, maintaining, and augmenting of adequate herbal preparations have however not been scientifi- milk production. The term galactogogue refers to cally, systematically and thoroughly evaluated, but substances that augment established lactation, whereas their traditional use suggests some safety and efficacy. the term galactopoietic is used independently to describe Lactogenesis and role of galactogogues the hormone preparations which enhance milk production Milk production (lactogenesis), which is a conse- in an animal already in lactation [1]. quence of neuro-endocrine event, is a complex neuro- Galactogogues may be synthetic, plant-derived or physiological process that involves interaction of a endogenous products. They act through exerting an number of physical and emotional factors along with influence on adreno-hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal action of multiple hormones, mainly prolactin. During axis by blocking hypothalamic dopaminergic receptors parturition and expulsion of the placenta, progesterone or by inhibiting dopamine producing neurons. These concentration reduced resulting in initiation of full medications increase prolactin secretion by antago- milk supply [4]. Dopamine agonists and antagonists nizing dopamine receptors [2]. Most of the information regulate prolactin synthesis and secretion through about herbal medication comes from Indian Traditional interaction with the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary Knowledge (ITK) because more than 80% of world and thereby control milk production [3]. Thereafter, population depends on it for primary health care and prolactin levels gradually decrease but milk supply is the information is passed through generations [3]. maintained or increased by local feedback mechanisms Herbs and their preparations have multiple diverse [5]. Therefore, an increase in prolactin levels is mandatory useful actions on the human and animal health. The to increase milk production but not to maintain its advantages of herbal medicines are due to constituent supply. The anterior pituitary plays a significant role chemicals developed as a result of co-evolution between for the development of the mammary gland, initiation flora and fauna and their enzyme driven synthesis leading of lactogenesis and lactation that has been described to development of optically pure chiral molecules with following the administration of pituitary extracts. So the specific reactions in the mammalian body [3]. term ‘prolactin’has been described for pituitary substance. So, phyto-pharmacological research on natural It is assumed that, pituitary extract is rich in growth products can show a ray of hope for the discoveryofnew hormone responsible for milk production in lactating active compounds with novel structure which have cattle. Lactogenesis and ejection both are stress for lactating cows and in turn are affected by stress of any Copyright: The authors. This article is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License other reason.As because hormone action is completely (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) which permits dependent on emotion and stress, so control of stress is unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. the primary factor on the way of lactogenesis. Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 325 Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/May-2014/11.pdf Table-1: Herbs reported to have galactopoietic properties [7-23]. Common name Botanical name Family Parts used Chemical constituents Effects Reference AlfalfaMedicago sativa Fabaceae Leaves Alkaloids (stachydrine, 1- Estrogenic and lactogenic [7] homostachydrine), coumesterol, stimulant, presence of “TRH- flavonoids, iso-flavonoids, like material ” in turn stimulates carotenoids, phenolic acids and prolactin release. minerals (Fe, Ca, K, P and Zn). AnisePimpinella anisum Umbelliferae Seeds Trans -anethole, estragole, Anti-spasmodic, mildly [8,9] γ-hymachalen,p -anisaldehyde, estrogenic. and methyl chavicol. Black cohoshCimicifuga resebosa Ranunculaceae Root (dried, Triterpene glycosides (actein, Emmenagogue, anti-spasmodic, [10] not fresh) cimigoside, cimifugine, macrotin, alterative, nervine, hypotensive. racemoside), isoflavones (formononetin) and isoferulic acid. Black seed/Nigella sativa Ranunculaceae Seeds Nigellicine, nigellidine, thymol , Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, [11] Black cumin nigellimine oxide, thymoquinone, galactopoetic, improves FCR in di-thymoquinone, oxy-coumarin, buffalo and lambs. thymo-hydroquinone, nigellone, arvacrol, α-hedrin, flavinoids, steryl-glucoside, tannins, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, ascorbic acidand minerals (Fe and Ca). Blessed thistleCnicus benedictus Asteraceae Flowering tops, Sesquiterpene lactone (cnicin). Effective galactogogue with red [8] leaves, seeds raspberry and fenugreek acts as ruminotorics and increases blood flow to the mammary gland improves post partum hemorrhage. BorageBorago officinalis Boraginaceae Leaf and flower Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (amabiline, Effective galactagogue, restorative [12] supinine, lycopsamine, intermedine), effect on adrenal cortex. choline, minerals (K and Ca) and oil rich in ω3 fatty acids. CarawayCarum carvi Umbelliferae Seeds Andlimonene, thujone, pinen, Post-partum galactagogue [13] carvone, dihydrocarvone, carveol, and lactational herbs. dihydrocarveol, flavonoids (quercetin), limonene, germacrene D and trans- dihydrocarvone. Chaste berryVitex agnuscastus Verbenaceae Fruit Iridoid glycosides (agnoside, aucubin) Normalizing effect on progesterone [8] flavonoids (casticin, kampferol, function of the pituitary gland quercetagetin, vitexin), progesterone, stimulates prolactin production, hydroxy-progesterone, testosterone, uterine tonic, and hyper- epi-testosterone, androstenedione, prolactinemia. alkaloids (viticin), volatile oil (1,8-cineol, limes, linalool, terpinyl acetate, alpha pinenes, beta pinenes), palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and stearic acid. DillAnethum graveolens Umbelliferae Seed Carvone, dihydro-carvone, eugenol, Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, [14] limonene, phellandrene, anethole, galactogogue. Contraindicated carvole, myristicin,x -pinene, flavonoids for low sodium diets. (kaempferol, vicenin blucuronide), coumarins (esculetin, scopoletin, bergapten, umbelliferone) and xanthone (dillanoside). FennelFoeniculum volgare Apiaceae Seed Anethole, fenchone, flavonoids and Carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti- [8] coumarins. inflammatory, promote milk ejection, stimulates milk flow, and increases udder milk production. Contraindicated due to its allergic and estrogenic effects. FenugreekTrigonella Fabaceae Seed Elemene, selinene, furanone, dihydro- Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic,[7,8,15] foenumgraecum benzofuran, muurolene, dihydro- emmenagogue, galactogogue, actinidiolide, Alkaloids (trigonelline, hypotensive, oxytocic, stimulate milk gentianine, carpaine), saponins ducts of mammary gland tissue, (diosgenin, yamogenin, gitogenin, promotes milk ejection, tigogenin), flavonoids (vitexin, isovitexin,Contraindicated in pregnancy orientin, vicenins, quercetin, luteolin) due to its uterotonic effect. and galactomannan. Levant cottonGossypium Malvaceae