Galactogogue Effects of Two Annual Leafy Vegetables <i>Euphorbia Hirta</i> and <i>Manihot Esculenta</i> in Adult Female Wistar Rats

There are very few solutions available to combat galloping hypogalactia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the galactogogue effect of Euphorbia hirta and Manihot esculenta in adult female Wistar rats with a view to using them as lactogenic plants. The nutrient content of these leafy vegetables and the plasma concentration of prolactin in treated female rats were calculated using standard methods. The results recorded for Euphorbia hirta and Manihot esculenta were respectively: protein (14.41±0.02%; 26.12±0.18%), carbohydrate (35.43±5.30%; 14.37±1.3%), lipid (3.8±0.13%; 6.8±0.13%), dietary fibre (37.16±1.55%; 43.2±0.51%), ash (9.2 ± 0.13%; 6.2± 0.11%), polyphenols (368.66±50.75 mg EAG/ g DM; 375.5±4.78 mg EAG/ g DM), flavonoids (290.66±48.36 mg EQ/ g DM; 283 78± 3.9 mgEQ/ g DM). Furthermore, plasma prolactin concentrations were similar in female rats treated with dry aqueous extracts of Euphorbia hirta (15.22± 0.67 ng/mL), Manihot esculenta (12.52 ± 0.57 ng/mL) and galactogil (15.15 ± 0.07 ng/mL), however, the said plasma prolactin concentrations recorded were significantly different from those of control female rats treated with distilled water (5.18 ± 0.78) ng/mL. This suggests the presence of a lactogenic active ingredient in Euphorbia hirta and Manihot esculenta. These two leafy vegetables could help improve milk production in nursing mothers. However, further studies are needed to assess the lactogenic power of the leafy vegetables studied in combination.