Polyphenols and Lactation: Molecular Evidence to Support the Use of Botanical Galactagogues

Ruminant, rodent, and in vitro models provide insight into the molecular pathways of botanical breastfeeding supplements. Breastfeeding mothers often use herbs, foods, and supplements containing polyphenols to improve lactation. Some examples include fenugreek (quercetin), grapes (resveratrol), and green tea (epigallocatechin). Studies using ruminant, rodent, and in vitro assays are useful in understanding effects of polyphenols on molecular pathways such as the activation of insulin/growth hormone/Iinsulin growth factor 1 signaling and deactivation of NF κβ signaling in mammary epithelial cells. AbstractBotanicals and herbal supplements contain a diverse array of polyphenols that may affect mammary gland function and promote galactagogue activity. This scoping review is conducted to identify scientific literature elucidating how polyphenols affect mammary gland biology and cellular mechanisms critical for lactation. A literature search of PubMed and Medline reviews relevant studies in dairy animals, rodent models, and cultured mammary epithelial cells that are published from January 2010 until July 2023, to ascertain effects of polyphenols on mechanisms regulating milk production and composition. The PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Review) strategy is applied and 80 studies on polyphenols and their implications on milk production and composition are included in this review. Limited information delineating effects o...
Source: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research