Abstract

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF TUDRI ZARD (LEPIDIUM IBERIS) IN QILLAT-E-LABAN (HYPOGALACTORRHOEA): EVIDENCE FROM AN OPEN-LABEL CLINICAL STUDY

Dr. Maryam Bano Baberali Shaikh*, Dr. Asma Rafi Ahmed Chaudhry, Dr. Rafi Ahmed Chaudhry, Dr. Khan Tamseen Jabbar, Dr. Mohd. Danish, Dr. Pathan Hafeez Kha Nawaz Kha

Abstract

Qillat-e-Laban (hypogalactorrhoea) is characterized by inadequate breast milk production to meet the nutritional requirements of the infant. In Unani medicine, Tudri Zard (Lepidium iberis) is traditionally recognized as a Moallid-e- Laban (galactagogue). However, clinical evidence regarding its efficacy in Qillat-e-Laban is limited. To evaluate the efficacy of Tudri Zard (Lepidium iberis) in the management of Qillat-e- Laban (hypogalactorrhoea) and assess its effects on infant weight gain, supplemental milk requirement, and maternal and infant-related breastfeeding outcomes. An open-label, prospective, single-arm clinical study was conducted among 30 lactating mothers diagnosed with Qillat-e-Laban. The participants received powdered Tudri Zard (Lepidium iberis) at a dose of 5 g twice daily with milk for 30 days. Assessments were performed at baseline, Day 15, and Day 30. Objective outcomes included infant weight and daily volume of supplemental milk, while subjective outcomes included breast fullness, contralateral milk ejection, infant satisfaction with breastfeeding, and maternal perception of increased milk production. Statistical analysis was performed using Repeated Measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Mean infant weight increased progressively from 2650.0 ± 433.71 g at baseline to 3023.33 ± 474.66 g on Day 15 and 3416.67 ± 559.61 g on Day 30, with highly significant improvement (p = 0.001). Mean supplemental milk intake decreased from 269.0 ± 67.6 ml/day at baseline to 172.3 ± 74.9 ml/day on Day 15 and 90.0 ± 80.9 ml/day on Day 30 (p = 0.001). Significant improvement was also observed in breast fullness, contralateral milk ejection, and infant satisfaction with breastfeeding (p = 0.001). No adverse drug reactions were observed during the treatment period. The findings indicate that Tudri Zard (Lepidium iberis) was associated with significant improvement in objective and subjective indicators of lactation over the 30-day study period. The reduction in supplemental milk requirement and improvement in infant weight, breast fullness, milk ejection, and breastfeeding satisfaction support its potential role as a traditional Unani galactagogue. Further controlled clinical studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to establish its efficacy and safety.

Keywords: Tudri Zard; Lepidium iberis; Qillat-e-Laban; Hypogalactorrhoea; Galactagogue; Breast Milk Production; Lactation; Unani Medicine; Infant Weight Gain.