Rat selection test with respect to laxative activity induced by barbaloin.

As individual differences in sensitivity in the laxative activity of barbaloin were observed in rats, a selection test for barbaloin (31.1 mg/kg, p.o.) was carried out between 1989 and 1991. The annual percentages of rats exhibiting a reaction positive to barbaloin were almost constant (about 57%). We propose that rats positive to barbaloin should be selected for studies on the laxative effect of barbaloin.