Antioxidant potential, toxicity, and effect of Calotropis procera extract on milk production in Wistar rats

Breast-feeding failure is a public health concern, as the use of breast milk substitutes increases the risk of morbidity and mortality among infants in developing countries. In Burkina Faso, people rely on medicinal plant to treat Breast-feeding failure. Indeed, Calotropis procera is medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat Breast-feeding failure. The phytochemical components, safety and antioxidant activity of the plant were first determined. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of C. procera on milk supply. The effect of C. procera on milk supply was evaluated in lactating rats by measuring pup weight during suckling period. At the start of the experiment, lactating females weighing 241.22 ± 9.64 g were divided into three lots of five rats each. The lot I was administered with NaCl (0.9%), the lot II was treated with metoclopramide (5 mg/kg b.w.) and lot III received aqueous extract of C. procera at the dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. The drug was administered orally and started from the evening (18:00) of day 3 of lactation to day 17. The phytochemical components such as steroids and triterpenoids, flavonoids, cardenolids, tannins, saponosids and reducing sugars were detected in the plant extracts. The aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts showed a weak antioxidant activity. In the acute test no signs of toxicity and mortality were recorded. In the Sub-acute test, any signs of toxicity were observed in rat during the period of treatment. There was no significant change in Hematological and biochemical parameters between the lots treated with extract and the control lot. The aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) of C. procera increased milk production significantly (p < 0.01) compared to blank control (NaCl, 0.9%). The milk production increased by 39%. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of C. procera can stimulate milk supply in rats and therefore confirm its use in traditional medicine in the treatment of mother’s milk insufficiency.