Effects of some natural products as components of Chinese herbal medicines on mammary gland growth and function in mice.
As a possible step to evaluate the role in the mammary glands of the scales of Guanshanjia, the fruits of Lulutong and the seeds of Wangbuliouxing, which are the natural products used widely as the components of herbal medicine in China for the improvement of lactation and the therapy of breast disorders, the effects of these agents on mammary gland growth and function were studied in female mice. The chronic administration of each agent in drinking water improved several parameters; however, the mode of action differed markedly among agents. The results indicate the necessity of acquiring enough knowledge of the characteristics of each agent for the efficient prescription of herbal medicine as well as the single use of the agent.
Nagasawa
H
H
Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Sakamoto
S
S
Mori
T
T
Wu
G
G
Piuo
H
H
Li
Y
Y
Li
Y
Y
Bai
S
S
Jin
C
C
Yamamuro
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000517:prevention & control; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008322:Mammals; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008419:Materia Medica; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008419:Materia Medica; D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA