Silymarin BIO-C, an extract from Silybum marianum fruits, induces hyperprolactinemia in intact female rats

Raffaele Capasso, Gabriella Aviello, Francesco Capasso, Francesco Savino, Angelo A Izzo, Francesca Lembo, Francesca Borrelli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Breastfeeding is widely acknowledged to have important health benefits for infants and mothers. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum fruits) has been recently proposed to be used by nursing mothers for stimulating milk production; however, the mode of action of this herbal drug is still unknown. In this paper, we have evaluated the effect of a micronized standardized extract of S. marianum (Silymarin BIO-C=Piùlatte) on the serum levels of prolactin in female rats. A 14-day treatment with Silymarin BIO-C (25-200mg/kg, given orally) increased, in a dose dependent manner, the serum prolactin levels. Moreover, after a 66-day discontinuation of Silymarin BIO-C treatment, prolactin levels were still significantly elevated although we observed a trend to decrease that was counteracted by a further 7-day treatment with Silymarin BIO-C. Bromocriptine, a dopamine D(2) receptor agonist, (1-10mg/kg, os) significantly and in a dose dependent manner, reduced the serum prolactin levels; bromocriptine, at the dose of 1mg/kg, significantly reduced the high serum prolactin levels induced by Silymarin BIO-C. In conclusion, we have shown that an extract from S. marianum fruits significantly increases circulating prolactin levels in female rats; this effect seems to involve, at least in part, dopamine D(2) receptors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)839-844
Number of pages6
JournalPhytomedicine
Volume16
Issue number9
Early online date20 Mar 2009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2009

Bibliographical note

This study was in part supported by Regione Campania and ‘Fondazione Enrico and Enrica Sovena’.

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Bromocriptine
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Hyperprolactinemia
  • Milk Thistle
  • Plant Extracts
  • Prolactin
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Reference Standards
  • Silymarin
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Silymarin BIO-C, an extract from Silybum marianum fruits, induces hyperprolactinemia in intact female rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this