Effects of Launaea taraxacifolia and resveratrol on milk yield and serum prolactin and oxytocin levels: a lactogenic study

Inadequacy of milk supply to meet the increasing human population coupled with a decreasing livestock population has necessitated the need for a potent galactogoue. The aim of this study was to compare the lactogenic effects of Launaea taraxacifolia (PLT) and resveratrol in Wistar rats. After parturition, 25 primiparous female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups of 5 dams each. Dams in groups I, II, III, IV and V were administered distilled water (DW: 2 ml/kg), metochlopromide (MET: 15 mg/kg), resveratrol (RES: 5 mg/kg), n-hexane leaf fraction of L. taraxacifolia (PLT: 333 mg/kg) and the combination of RES + PLT (CO: 5 mg + 333 mg/kg); respectively, for 12 days. Pup weight gain was used to quantify milk yield. Serum was harvested from the dams and assayed for prolactin and oxytocin. The PLT and CO groups had significantly higher (p < 0.05) milk yield than DW group. Serum concentration of prolactin was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the PLT group, while the combination group had the highest (p < 0.05) concentration of oxytocin compared to DW group. In conclusion, L. taraxacifolia and resveratrol exhibited galactopoietic potentials individually by stimulating hyperprolactinaemia, while their combination increased milk production by increasing serum oxytocin activity.