Toxicological And Lactogenic Studies On The Seeds Of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linn (Malvaceae) Extract On Serum Prolactin Levels Of Albino Wistar Rats

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic seed extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa l. revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and phlobatanins. The acute toxicity LD50 of Hibiscus sabdariffa l. seedextract in albino rats was found to be above 5000 mgkg. The lactogenic effect of ethanolic seed extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa l. was investigated by administering extract and metoclopramide in albino rats. The extracts were administered at varying doses (200, 400, 800 and 1600mgkg) and drug (5mgkg) for six days orally. There was significant increase (p 0.05). The ethanolic seed extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa l. possess lactogenic effect.