The study of effect of aqueous Cucurbita pepo linn seed extract on serum prolactin level of lactating female albino rats

Abstract

Prolactin participation has been established for a growing number of physiological actions of these, the best studied is the stimulation of mammary gland development and induction of milk synthesis at the end of pregnancy and during lactation.The study investigated the effect of aqueous Cucurbita pepo Linn seed extract on serum prolactin level of lactating female albino rats. A total of twenty five (25) female healthy wistar albino rats were used for study. They were divided into the following groups as follows: Group 1: Served as control group and received 1ml of distilled water, Group 2: Received Metoclopramide 5mg/kg b w, Group 3: Received 250 mg/kg b w of C. pepo L,Group 4: Received 500 mg/kg b w of C. pepo L. and Group 5:  Received 1000 mg/kg b w of C. pepo L. All regimen was given orally once daily for a period of eight (8) days, starting from day 3 to day 11 of lactation. The acute toxicity and phytochemical screening were carried out. The result of acute toxicity studies showed that the aqueous Cucurbita pepo Linn seed extract was safe up to 5000 mg/kg b w. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavanoids and alkaloids. From the results obtained in this study, it was evident that the administration of plant extract at doses of 250,500 and 1000mg/kg b w produced a significantly increased (p<0.0001) prolactin level from 4.90 ± 0.18 in the control group to 26.3 ± 1.60, 26.5 ± 1.60 and 24.9 ± 2.13 in the experimental groups respectively when compared to the control group. However, a maximum increased prolactin concentration was observed in the group that received 500 mg/kg b w of the extract. The values of prolactin levels obtained in the extract treated groups are comparable to the metoclopramide (5mg/kg b w). It can be concluded that elevated level of prolactin as observed in this study justifies the folkloric use of this plant in stimulating lactation and as well as increasing milk production.