Effect of Aqueous Extract of <i>Euphorbia</i><i> </i><i>hirta</i> (Euphorbiaceae) Leaves on Wistar Lactating Rat's Milk Density, Water and Fat Contents

Background and Objectives: Breast milk is highly recommended due to its nutritional composition, which adapts to the needs of the child. Unfortunately, many mothers do not have access to synthetic galactagogues due to the high cost of medications. To avoid a decrease or interruption of breast milk production, they mostly resort to medicinal plants such as Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae). The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of oral administration of the aqueous extract of the leaves of E. hirta (EHae) on the water and fat composition of breast milk. Methods and Study Design: 36 lactating rats divided into seven (7) experimental groups are treated regularly from the third to the seventeenth day of postpartum. Group I received only distilled water. Group II was treated only with Metoclopramide, Prokynil®. The experimental groups (III; IV; V et VI) were treated with EHea at doses of 100; 200; 400 and 600 mg/kg respectively. Each rat received orally 1 ml of the substance administered using a gavage tube. Results: At doses of 100; 200; 400 and 600 mg/kg, EHae induced a very significant increase in the water content of milk without, however, significantly modifying its composition in terms of fat and other compounds. Conclusions: The use of EHae at doses lower than 400 mg/kg could ensure that breastfeeding mothers have better breast milk production.