ABSTRACT
Momordicabalsamina L. (MBL) istaken by mothers to boost the production of milk.There is dearth of scientific literature on its lactogenic effects.This study was designed to evaluate theeffect of aqueous extract of MBL on milk yield, lactogenic hormonesand biomarkers of oxidative stress in lactating female Wistarrats. Twenty five (n = 25) adult lactating female Wistarrats were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each and treated as follows: Group I: control,1ml/kg normal saline; group II:5 mg/kgmetoclopramide; group III-V: 200 mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of MBL respectively. Administration was done orally once daily at 18:00 h for a period of ten (10) days, (beginning from day 4 of lactation), during which the milk yield was calculated daily (starting from day 5 of lactation) at 18 h after gavage. On day 14 of lactation, the lactating female Wistar rats were sacrificed; bloodsamples and selected tissues were collected for biochemical assay and histological study respectively. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of MBL revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins, cardiac glycosides and tannins.The result showed a significantly higher(p<0.05) serum level of growth hormone and oxytocin in the MBL treated groupswhen compared to the control. There was a significantly lower(p<0.05) serum prolactin level in the MBL 800 mg/kg group when compared to control, while there was no significant difference in serum prolactin level in the MBL 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg groups when compared to control. MomordicabalsaminaL.stimulated a significant increase(p<0.05)in mean milk yieldof MBL 400 mg/kg group when compared to the control group. Higher daily milk yield was observed in day 9 of theMBL 400 mg/kg group.Administration ofMBLcaused a significantly lower(p<0.05)serum activity of superoxide dismutase at MBL 400 and 800 mg/kg groups; catalaseand glutathione peroxidase at MBL 800 mg/kg group, when compared to control group.Significantly higher(p<0.05)serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrationwere observed inMBL treated groups when compared to the control group.MomordicabalsaminaL.treated groupshad significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) when compared to the controlgroup.There was minorstructural changes in the histology of mammary gland and livertissues at 800 mg/kg of MBL.In conclusion, aqueous extract of MomordicabalsaminaL.caused:significant increased in milk yield, growth hormone and oxytocin, but it decreased prolactin level. It enhanced growth and proliferation of mammary gland tissue, resulting in increased milk synthesis and secretion. It also decreased serum antioxidant enzymes levels, with an increased in MDA concentration as well as serum liver enzymes; and mild fatty infiltration of binucleated hepatocytes at 800 mg/kg. It is therefore, suggested that the MomordicabalsaminaL. can be used as a galactogogue at moderately low doses (≤400) and for a short periods to avoid its possible hepatotoxic effects, due to its bitter content "momordicin".