Potential Galactagogue Effect of Tri-Than-Thip Remedy on Milk Synthesis in Lactating Rats: Impact on Milk Production-Related Parameters

Abstract

Herbal galactagogues have been widely used as a treatment for postpartum hypogalactia due to the potential side effects associated with pharmacological therapy. Tri-Than-Thip (Tri-TT) is a Thai herbal medicine remedy that contains three main components: Cassia fistula, Pithecellobium dulce, and Ficus benjamina. These components are believed to have properties that contribute to milk production. However, despite the traditional use of Tri-TT, there is a lack of academic evidence supporting its efficacy in enhancing milk production. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Tri-TT on milk production and determine if it has a galactagogue effect. The weight suckle weight model was used to determine total milk production in lactating rats, while histological analysis was performed to assess the alveolar diameter of the mammary gland. The findings of this study revealed a significant increase in total milk production among lactating rats treated with 500 mg/kg of Tri-TT, compared to the control group. Furthermore, both the Tri-TT and Domperidone-treated groups exhibited a larger alveolar diameter of the mammary gland in comparison to the control group. In summary, these findings provide supportive evidence for the galactagogue activity of Tri-TT. The observed enhancement in milk production may be associated with Tri-TT could potentially be attributed to its ability to widen the alveolar diameter of the mammary gland, thereby facilitating increased milk volume.

Keywords: Thai herbal medicine; Tri-Than-Thip remedy; galactagogue; hypogalactia; lactating rats; milk production.

Figure 1

Effect of all extracts on pups' milk consumption (a) mean milk consumption for pups in line graph (b) in bar graph. Statistical significance levels are indicated as: *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 compared to the vehicle control, (n=6)

Figure 2

Effect of Tri-TT on pup weight for 12 days, (n=6)

Figure 3

Effect of Tri-TT on daily dams' weight for 12 days, (n=6)

Figure 4

The protein levels of AQP3, AQP5, and LALBA in the lactating rats for 12 days. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance levels are indicated as ns; non-significant, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001 compared to the vehicle control, (n=6)

Figure 5

Histopathological examination of the alveolar in the mammary glands induced by Tri-TT at the end of treatment (Hematoxylin Eosin stain, 20x magnification). (A) The negative control (distilled water), (B) The positive control (DOM 2.7 mg/kg), (C) Tri-TT 500 mg/kg. All groups were administered to the lactating rat for 12 days with a sample size of n=6. The letter "M" denotes milk.