PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION, TOXICITY, ANTIOXIDANT AND LACTOGENIC ACTIVITIES OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA (L.)

Breastfeeding is widely recognized to have many health benefits for both infants and mothers and in developing countries, women rely on medicinal plants to increase breast milk production. Euphorbia hirta is one of the medicinal plants used in Burkina Faso for the treatment of lactation insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate its effect on milk production. Previous studies were achieved to identify phytochemical compounds, to assess innocuity and antioxidant activity of the plant. Oral acute and sub-acute toxicity were carried out as described by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2001 and 2008, respectively. Several methods including Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing power (FRAP), Lipid peroxidation were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. The effect of Euphorbia hirta on milk production was assess in lactating rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids and triterpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, anthocyanosids, reducing sugars. The plant exhibited strong antioxidant potential. Limit test of 2000 mg/kg b.w. did not cause any mortality and no signs of acute toxicity suggesting that the plant is practically non-toxic. Concerning sub-acute toxicity, no mortality and no signs of toxicity were observed in all the extract treated groups similarly to control group. Haematological and biochemical parameters were not affected by the extract, therefore the plant is safe for use when it is administered orally. The extract treated rats produced higher milk than blank and reference controls. The body weight gain of the pups was 2.40?0.08, 2.81?0.22 and 2.78?0.28 for blank, reference controls and extract treated group, respectively. Euphorbia hirta contains several phytochemical compounds which may stimulate milk production in mammalian.