Search Results (4)

Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for infants, yet lactation insufficiency remains a common cause of early breastfeeding cessation. Moringa oleifera has been traditionally used as a galactagogue due to its rich micronutrient and phytosterol content. This systematic review assessed the effects of Moringa leaf supplementation on prolactin levels and breast milk volume in postpartum mothers with lactation insufficiency. A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines, was conducted for randomized controlled trials involving healthy postpartum women supplemented with Moringa oleifera. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, with intervention durations ranged from 3 to 10 days. Moringa supplementation increased significantly breast milk volume by up to 400 mL/day compared to controls. Serum prolactin levels also rose significantly with a mean increase of 231.72 ng/mL Most studies exhibited low to moderate risk of bias, though one study exhibited high risk due to lack of binding and subjective outcome measurement. Moringa oleifera leaf supplementation appears to enhance lactation by increasing milk volume and prolactin levels in postpartum mothers. However, further longer-term studies are needed to establish optimal dosing, sustained effectiveness, and safety. Full article

Moringa is a plant commonly used for its medical properties. However, studies have shown contradictory results. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible association between the use of Moringa during pregnancy and breastfeeding in relation to the health status of both the mother and the baby. A search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases on the literature published during the period 2018–2023 was conducted up until March 2023. The population/exposure/comparison/outcome (PECO) approach was used to select studies on pregnant women, mother–child pairs, and the use of Moringa. Out of the 85 studies initially identified, 67 were excluded, leaving 18 for full-text evaluation. After assessment, 12 were finally included in the review. In the articles included in this work, Moringa is administered during pregnancy or in the postnatal period in the form of leaf powder (MOLP), as a leaf extract (MLE), as an ingredient associated with other supplements or in preparations. It appears to influence several variables during pregnancy and in the postnatal period such as the mother’s haematochemical profile, milk production, the child’s socio-personal development and the incidence of morbidity during the first 6 months of life. None of the studies analysed reported contraindications to the use of the supplement during pregnancy and lactation. Full article

The present review paper is an attempt to examine and provide an overview of the various conservation strategies and regulatory framework to protect endangered plants, including Chlorophytum tuberosum, popularly known as Safed Musli in the local language. C. tuberosum belongs to the family Liliaceae and is being used in the indigenous systems of medicine as a galactagogue, aphrodisiac, antitumor, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anti-ageing, antimicrobial, etc. This plant has great medicinal and commercial value and is part of the Biological Diversity Act, but due to a lack of effective conservation, it is on the verge of extinction because of natural and manmade reasons, such as loss of habitat, climate change, pollution, excessive harvesting, etc. The most valuable medicinal plants have great importance; hence, many conservation techniques are being employed to protect them. In furtherance to the conservation of such plant species, strategic efforts, in the form of laws and policies, are laid; however, existing legislative mechanisms and policy parameters are not sufficient to overcome the challenges of conservation of such plant species, including Safed Musli, hence, this plant has been considered as a critically endangered plant in India. It is pertinent to note that we do not have specific legislation enacted for the protection of plant species; however, efforts are being made to conserve it under various laws, such as the Forest Conservation Act, Biological Diversity Act 2002, and many other allied legislations. This basic legislation of the Biological Diversity Act also lacks focal attention on the conservation of endangered plant species. Moreover, decentralization of power and actual community participation in conservation practices are also missing. A cumulative effect of both scientific measures and legal mechanisms supported by community participation may produce better results in the conservation of plant species, including Safed Musli. The protection of rich sources and biological diversity is not being taken as seriously as it ought to be, hence, it is necessary to improve awareness and public participation in conservation techniques with effective legislation for the conservation of highly endangered plant species. Full article

Galactagogue herbs, also known as natural lactation adjuvants, are frequently used to stimulate breast milk production. Due to their antioxidant activity and phenolic content, anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) were chosen to increase the added value of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) purees. At the same time, this work aimed to determine the influence of heat treatment on various characteristics of the final product. The phytochemical content, color parameters, and rheological and textural parameters of zucchini purees enriched with herbal aqueous extracts were determined after processing and after one week of storage (4 °C). In the case of antioxidant activity, samples registered a variation between 6.62 ± 1.71 and 38.32 ± 3.85 µM Trolox/g DW for the samples processed by steam convection. The total difference color parameter (ΔE) increased seven times after one week of storage compared to samples at T₀. Fennel and anise aqueous extracts helped improve the rheological behavior of zucchini samples both by steam and hot air convection. This study may serve as a springboard for future investigations and clinical trials into the scientific validity and safety of ready-to-eat foods with special destinations. Full article