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PubMed · Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of <i>Solanum indicum</i> Fruit Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. (2023)
PubMed · Two new 23S,26R-hydroxylated spirostanoid saponins from the fruits of Solanum indicum var. recurvatum. (2020)
Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals
How does Solanum indicum work for respiratory conditions?
Solanum indicum contains steroidal alkaloids including solasodine and solanine, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory properties. These compounds may help relax bronchial smooth muscle and reduce airway inflammation, explaining its traditional use for asthma and cough. The herb also contains diosgenin, a steroidal compound with documented anti-inflammatory effects. Preclinical studies suggest immunomodulatory activity, though human clinical trials are limited. Evidence level: C (preclinical data).
Is Solanum indicum safe during pregnancy?
No, Solanum indicum is contraindicated during pregnancy. The herb contains steroidal alkaloids, including solanine, which may have uterine-stimulating effects and potential teratogenic properties. Traditional Ayurvedic texts explicitly advise against use in pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid this herb entirely. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication with pharmacological plausibility).
What is the recommended dosage of Solanum indicum?
The traditional Ayurvedic dosage for adults is 3-9 grams of dried root or 1-3 grams of powdered root daily, typically divided into 2-3 doses. Solanum indicum is most commonly used as part of the Dashamoola formulation rather than as a standalone herb. Proper processing is essential to reduce solanine content. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized dosing. Evidence level: Traditional.
Does Solanum indicum interact with any medications?
Limited clinical data exists on specific drug interactions. However, Solanum indicum contains alkaloids that may affect liver enzyme activity, potentially altering metabolism of certain medications. Caution is advised when combining with anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, or hepatotoxic medications. The herb may also potentiate effects of bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory drugs. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence level: C (theoretical based on constituent properties).
What are the side effects of Solanum indicum?
Common side effects include gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, particularly with improper preparation. The solanine content can cause toxicity symptoms including headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, neurological effects. Improperly processed or excessive doses increase toxicity risk. Individuals with solanine sensitivity should avoid this herb. Children are particularly susceptible to solanine toxicity and should not use this herb. Evidence level: C.
What is Solanum indicum used for in Ayurvedic medicine?
Solanum indicum is a key component of Dashamoola, a traditional Ayurvedic formulation used primarily for respiratory and inflammatory conditions. It is indicated for asthma, chronic cough, fever, rheumatism, and digestive disorders. The root is the primary medicinal part, valued for its anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and bronchodilatory properties. Modern preclinical research supports anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, though human trials remain limited. Evidence level: C.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Solanum indicum is a plant distributed across India and tropical/subtropical regions, used traditionally for treating inflammation, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular disorders [PMID:36826003, 18363121, 39127114].
Background
Solanum indicum (also known as African eggplant or Gnagnan) is a species of the Solanaceae family distributed globally in tropical and subtropical regions [PMID:36826003, 20953157]. It is utilized in various traditional medicine systems, including Ayurvedic formulations like Laghupanchamula and Mahamrutyunjaya Rasa [PMID:25364205, 28757226].
Traditional uses
Traditional uses include the treatment of cough, asthma, rhinitis [PMID:36826003], inflammation, toothache, ascites, edema, and wound infection [PMID:18363121], as well as use as a cardiotonic for hypertension [PMID:39127114]. In Chinese folk medicine, it has been used for breast cancer [PMID:31586607].
Active compounds
Identified compounds include steroidal saponins (indioside A, F, dioscin, protodioscin) [PMID:19571425, 1768063, 8450317], coumarins and coumarinolignoids (indicumines A-D, indicumin E) [PMID:22975162, 24152107], flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin-7-glucoside) [PMID:39127114, 30042551], phenolic acids (caftaric acid, ellagic acid) [PMID:30042551], and alkaloids such as solanine and solasodine [PMID:18363121, 20188963].
Mechanism of action
Quercetin isolated from S. indicum fruit extract demonstrates anticoagulant activity through interaction with thrombin [PMID:39127114]. Certain coumarinolignoid alkaloids (indicumines A-B) inhibit the secretion of HBsAg in HepG2.2.15 cells [PMID:22975162].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHypertension
Ethanolic fruit extract (standardized to >0.15% chlorogenic acids) prevented the development of L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats [PMID:19049674]
Evidence DInflammation
Ethanolic extracts of roots and fruits showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced edema in rats [PMID:22556885]
Evidence DDiabetes
Methanolic fruit extract was evaluated for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-hyperlipidaemic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats [PMID:36826003]
Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)
Fractions and purified constituents (dioscin, protodioscin) showed cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines, including colon, nasopharynx, and glioma cells [PMID:1768063]
Safety & adverse effects
Excessive doses of concentrated Solanum indicum L. solution may cause central diabetes insipidus, characterized by polyuria and polydipsia [PMID:18363121]. Long-term oral administration of standardized fruit extract (1g/kg for 6 months) in rats showed a 20% increase in liver-to-body weight ratio, though no histopathological changes were noted [PMID:21184797].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on preclinical animal models (rats/mice) and in vitro studies (cell lines), providing low-level evidence (Level D) for its therapeutic claims.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 25364205 (2014) — Analgesic and hypnotic activities of Laghupanchamula: A preclinical study. · Ayu
2.PMID: 28757226 (2017) — Preparation and physicochemical characterization of ingredients of Indian traditional medicine, Mahamrutyunjaya Rasa. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
3.PMID: 26834423 (2015) — Wound healing and antimicrobial activity of two classical formulations of Laghupanchamula in rats. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
4.PMID: 23741158 (2013) — Anti-inflammatory activity of two classical formulations of Laghupanchamula in rats. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
5.PMID: 36826003 (2023) — Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of Solanum indicum Fruit Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 36890788 (2023) — Fluorophores-rich natural powder from selected medicinal plants for detection latent fingerprints and cyanide. · Science progress
7.PMID: 31586607 (2020) — Two new 23S,26R-hydroxylated spirostanoid saponins from the fruits of Solanum indicum var. recurvatum. · Steroids
8.PMID: 22975162 (2013) — Four new coumarinolignoids from seeds of Solanum indicum. · Fitoterapia
9.PMID: 1768063 (1991) — Experimental antitumor agents from Solanum indicum L. · Anticancer research
10.PMID: 11575964 (2001) — Cytotoxic and novel compounds from Solanum indicum. · Journal of natural products
11.PMID: 26124796 (2015) — Plants used to manage type II diabetes mellitus in selected districts of central Uganda. · African health sciences
12.PMID: 22556885 (1998) — Anti-inflammatory activity of some traditional medicinal plants. · Ancient science of life
13.PMID: 29998994 (2018) — Effects of Piper betle fractionated extracts on inhibition of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus intermedius. · Drug discoveries & therapeutics
14.PMID: 39127114 (2024) — Studies on in vivo antithrombotic activity of quercetin, a natural flavonoid isolated from a traditional medicinal plant, African eggplant (Solanum indicum). · Journal of ethnopharmacology
15.PMID: 19571425 (2009) — A new spirostanol glycoside from fruits of Solanum indicum L. · Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
16.PMID: 20953157 (2010) — Effects of different maturity stages on antioxidant content of Ivorian Gnagnan (Solanum indicum L.) berries. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
17.PMID: 24152107 (2014) — Two new coumarins from the seeds of Solanum indicum. · Journal of Asian natural products research
18.PMID: 18363121 (2008) — Central diabetes insipidus following digestion Solanum indicum L. concentrated solution. · Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
19.PMID: 19049674 (2008) — Solanum indicum ssp. distichum extract is effective against L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats. · Fundamental & clinical pharmacology
20.PMID: 22557334 (2009) — Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Anti-microbial studies of Solanum indicum leaves. · Ancient science of life
21.PMID: 8450317 (1993) — Cytotoxic principles and their derivatives of Formosan Solanum plants. · Journal of natural products
22.PMID: 30042551 (2018) — LC-ESI-MS/MS based characterization of phenolic components in fruits of two species of Solanaceae. · Journal of food science and technology
23.PMID: 21184797 (2011) — Toxicological studies on a standardized extract of Solanum indicum ssp. distichum. · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
24.PMID: 21995750 (2011) — Ethnobotany of the Monpa ethnic group at Arunachal Pradesh, India. · Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
25.PMID: 31109598 (2019) — Comparison of aqueous and enzymatic extraction combination with sequential filtration for the profiling of selected trace elements in medicinal plants from Kenya. · Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)
26.PMID: 19274594 (2009) — Preliminary assessment of nutritional value of plant-based diets in relation to human nutrients. · International journal of food sciences and nutrition
27.PMID: 20188963 (2010) — Sequential injection analysis with lab-at-valve (SI-LAV) for the determination of solasodine in Solanum species. · Talanta
28.PMID: 15287807 (2004) — Facile synthesis of saponins containing 2,3-branched oligosaccharides by using partially protected glycosyl donors. · The Journal of organic chemistry