title: Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Nigella sativa seeds on milk production in rats.
abstract: Nigella sativa L. is used as a galactagogue in traditional medicine. Hence, the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. sativa seeds on milk production in rats were evaluated. The measurement of milk production was by measuring pup weight during suckling period. The intraperitoneal LD(50) values of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. sativa were 4.23 and 4.9 g/kg, respectively. The aqueous (0.5 g/kg) and ethanolic extracts (1 g/kg) increased milk production significantly (p < 0.001), producing about 31.3% and 37.6% more milk than control, respectively. During the study period, the pups gained weight with the aqueous (0.5 g/kg, p < 0.01) and ethanolic extracts (1 g/kg, p < 0.05). It is concluded that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. sativa can stimulate milk production in rats.
authors: Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology Department, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran. hosseinzadehh@mums.ac.ir
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Hosseinzadeh
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Tafaghodi
authors: Mojdeh Jalal
authors: MJ
authors: Mosavi
authors: Elahe
authors: E
authors: Taghiabadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts