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. 2015:2015:760585.
doi: 10.1155/2015/760585. Epub 2015 May 5.

An Herbal Galactagogue Mixture Increases Milk Production and Aquaporin Protein Expression in the Mammary Glands of Lactating Rats

Haibin Liu  1 , Ying Hua  2 , Hui Luo  2 , Zhaojun Shen  2 , Xuejiao Tao  2 , Xueqiong Zhu  2
Affiliations

An Herbal Galactagogue Mixture Increases Milk Production and Aquaporin Protein Expression in the Mammary Glands of Lactating Rats

Haibin Liu et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015.

Abstract

Background. Herbal galactagogues have been increasingly used to treat postpartum hypogalactia. The mechanism of action of herbal galactagogues remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an herbal galactagogue mixture on milk production and aquaporin (AQP) expression in lactating rats. Methods. Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into virgin, lactating + H2O, and lactating + galactagogue groups (n = 10 per group). Lactating rats were administered the decoction of an herbal galactagogue mixture by oral gavage or the same amount of distilled water. Results. The herbal decoction significantly increased milk production in lactating rats (P < 0.05). Both immunohistochemical staining and western blot showed that protein levels of AQP-3 and AQP-5 were significantly increased during lactation compared with virgin stage and the herbal decoction further elevated their expression (P < 0.05). AQP-1 was predominantly expressed in the capillaries whereas AQP-3 and AQP-5 were mainly detected in the epithelial cells and ducts of the mammary glands. Conclusion. The expression of AQPs in the mammary glands of rats was developmentally regulated. Herbal galactagogues might have increased milk secretion by regulating the expression and function of AQPs in the mammary glands.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The decoction of the herbal galactagogues increased milk production in lactating rats. (a) Milk production from postpartum day 3 to day 7. (b) Total accumulated milk production from postpartum day 3 to day 7. The amount of daily milk production from postpartum day 3 to day 7 was added. ∗ represents significant difference between lactating + H2O and lactating + galactagogue; P < 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immunohistochemical staining of AQPs in rat mammary tissue. Lactating rats with or without herbal galactagogue treatment at postpartum day 8 and 8-week-old virgin rats were sacrificed. The tissue sections were then stained with rabbit anti-rat antibodies for AQP-1, AQP-3, and AQP-5. Images of immunohistochemical staining (200x) were collected using an Olympus optical microscope system (Japan).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Western blot of AQPs in rat mammary tissue. (a) Western blot of AQPs in rat mammary tissue. (b) Quantification of the western blot. The protein signals were quantified by measuring the density of the signals on the western blot. ∗ represents significant difference between lactating + H2O and virgin rats. # represents significant difference between lactating + galactagogue and lactating + H2O. P < 0.05.
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