Morphometric and Hormonal Study of the Effect of Utrica diocia Extract on Mammary Glands in Rats.

Urtica diocia is a multipurpose herb in traditional medicine. Its hydroalcoholic extract (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg) administered interaperitoneally to Wistar female rats for 21 consequent days resulted in significant increase in the number of alveoli of mammary glands in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg. Changes in serum prolactin and alveolar diameter were not significant in comparison with control group. Also, there was an increase in serum prolactin and alveolar diameter in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg. Utrica diocia extract has positive effects on mammary glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]