Abstract
The cathartic activity of soborodo (zobo drink), a hot water decoction of the flower (calyx) of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (family Malvaceae), is reported here. Evidence of the cathartic activity of soborodo was shown when the lyophilized aqueous extract (800 mg/kg) caused a pronounced increase in the number of wet faeces in rats without any significant increase in the propulsive intestinal movement. Unlike with senna (positive control), normal defaecation was not affected when compared with distilled water (negative control). The cathartic property of soborodo may be due to the saponin-like compounds detected in the extract. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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