Galactagogue Effects Of

Pimpinella anisum L. Seeds

Extract on Lactating Rats
Nurhidayatul Husna Mohd Mustafa, Khairul Amira Md Zain, Nurhidayati Hassan,
Mahfuzah Yusof, Nurul Atiqah Mohamad Tajudin and Nurul Haryanie Ishak

Department of Biotechnology

Group 16

ABSTRACT
Aniseed or known as Pimpinella anisum L. (P. anisum) is one of the herbaceous annual plants that possesses galactopoietic effect, which
has the potential of promoting lactation in human and animals. This research aimed to determine the galactogogue effects of aniseed
extraction on milk production. P. anisum seeds were extracted with petroleum ether and ethanol respectively using soxhlet method and water
extraction method. Lactating rats (n=3) of Spraque Dawley with three pups each were treated with the extract in the amount of 500 mg/kg
body weight, while the control rats were given the same amount of distilled water. The rats were administered via intraperitoneal route for two
weeks. The milk production was evaluated by measuring the pups weight during the suckling period. Results were statistically analysed
using SPSS software. The rats treated with ethanolic extract produced higher milk production than aqueous extract compared to the control
group. Thus, both ethanolic extracted and aqueous extracted P. anisum seeds can enhance milk production in rats.

INTRODUCTION

RESULTS

P. anisum is cultivated in the Eastern Mediterranean

Region, West Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, Egypt,
and Spain.
It is essentially grown for its fruits (aniseeds) that are
obtainable commercially, and used in medicine as
carminative, aromatic, disinfectant and galactogogue.
Galactagogue is defined as any substance that
promotes lactation and is known to increase milk
supply in humans and other animals.

AIM & HYPOTHESIS

This research aimed to determine the galactogogue effect of

aniseed extraction on milk production of lactating rats. The rats
were treated with the aniseed extracts.
The research was expected that both ethanolic extracted and
aqueous extracted P. anisum seeds can enhance milk production
in rats.

METHODS
ANIMAL
Three groups of 9 lactating Sprague Dawley rats were tested in the
experiment.
EXTRACTION
P. anisum seeds extraction

DISCUSSION
Aqueous Extract

Ethanolic Extract

TREATMENT METHOD
500 mg/kg
control, P. anisum
aqueous and
ethanol extract

Administered to 3
groups
respectively

The pups weight

was weight
accordingly

Both ethanolic and aqueous extract from the P. anisum showed

results that were significantly higher than control.
The observe benificial activity of P. anisum ethanolic extract on
milk production was more than that of aqueous extract.

CONCLUSION
P. anisum aqueous and ethanolic extract increase milk production.

REFERENCES
Mahmood, A.; Omar, M. N.; Ngah, N. Galactagogue effects of Musa x paradisiaca flower extract on lactating rats. Asian Pacific
Journal of Tropical Medicine 2012, 5, 882-886