J Ethnopharmacol. 1987 Mar-Apr; 19(2): 213-9.

Croton macrostachys, a plant used in traditional medicine: purgative and inflammatory activity.

Croton macrostachys seeds are widely used in Somalia as a purgative. In the present study, pharmacologic and chemical investigations confirm the laxative effect of the seeds and indicate the presence of phorbolesters. There appears to be no direct correlation between phorbolester content and laxative effect.