I Gusti Karnasih, Lulut Sasmito, Ilmah Fakhriza, Rika Mahardika Sari, Rian Anggia Destiawan, Sholihatil Hidayati
Gymnema sylvestre leaves have been empirically used, especially by the local Madurese, to increase breast milk production or as a galactagogue. However, scientific evidence supporting this use remains limited. Hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin are fundamental mediators of mammary morphogenesis and lactogenesis. This study aims to investigate the lactogenic effect of Gymnema sylvestre leaves in postpartum rats. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of the extract was assessed using the the DPPH method, while the lactogenic effect, including oxytocin and prolactin levels, were evaluated in vivo in postpartum rats using the ELISA method. A total of 30 postpartum rats were divided into 5 groups: negative, positive, and treatment groups receiving GSLE doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg BW, treated for 14 days. The results showed GSLE contains bioactive compounds, including flavonoids (89.2 ± 0.09 µg QE/mg), phenolic (53.9 ± 0.01 µg GAE/mg) and tannins (40.7 ± 0.01 µg GAE/mg). Antioxidant activity showed an IC50 value of 44.10 ± 3.12 μg/mL. The results of the lactogenic effect indicated that GSLE administration increased oxytocin and prolactin levels (p<0.05). Oxytocin levels increased significantly at the GSLE dose of 50 mg/kg BW on day 7. Prolactin levels were significantly increased by GSLE administration at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg BW compared to the negative control group. The antioxidant and lactogenic activities suggest that GSLE has the potential for further development as a galactogogue. © 2026 Karnasih et al.
Health Polytechnic of Ministry of Health, East Java, Malang, Indonesia; Master Program of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, East Java, Malang, Indonesia; Medical Laboratory Technology Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas dr. Soebandi, Jl. Dr. Soebandi No.99, Jember, Indonesia; Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas dr. Soebandi, Jl. Dr. Soebandi No.99, Jember, Indonesia
