Chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanol extract of ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae)

Health Benefits of the Alkaloids from Lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill): A Comprehensive Review

Solanum is the largest genus within the Solanaceae family and has garnered considerable attention in chemical and biological investigations over the past 30 years. In this context, lobeira or "fruta-do-lobo" (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill), a species predominantly found in the Brazilian Cerrado, stands out. Beyond the interesting nutritional composition of the fruits, various parts of the lobeira plant have been used in folk medicine as hypoglycemic, sedative, diuretic, antiepileptic, and antispasmodic agents. These health-beneficial effects have been correlated with various bioactive compounds found in the plant, particularly alkaloids. In this review, we summarize the alkaloid composition of the lobeira plant and its biological activities that have been reported in the scientific literature in the last decades. The compiled data showed that lobeira plants and fruits contain a wide range of alkaloids, with steroidal glycoalkaloid solamargine and solasonine being the major ones. These alkaloids, but not limited to them, contribute to different biological activities verified in alkaloid-rich extracts/fractions from the lobeira, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antigenotoxic, antidiabetic, antinociceptive, and antiparasitic effects. Despite the encouraging results, additional research, especially toxicological, pre-clinical, and clinical trials, is essential to validate these human health benefits and ensure consumers' safety and well-being.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, and chemical characterization of the dichloromethane fraction of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) ripe fruits by LC-DAD-MS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado, exhibiting several medicinal properties, being used by the population in the treatment of ulcers, bronchitis, asthma and hepatitis, which involve inflammatory processes.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

This study aimed to chemically characterize the dichloromethane fraction (DCM), as well as verify its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The DCM fraction was obtained by partitioning the ethanol extract. The chemical constituents of the DCM fraction were characterized by LC-DAD-MS. The DPPH and FRAP assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was used to assess the anti-inflammatory effects, and the inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative histological analyses. The antinociceptive action of the DCM fraction was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, formalin-induced nociception and hot-plate test.

RESULTS

Steroidal alkaloids solasonine, solasodine and solamargine, as well as the alkaloid peiminine/imperialine and caffeoylquinic acids, were annotated in DCM fraction by LC-DAD-MS. The DCM fraction showed antioxidative action in the in vitro DPPH and FRAP tests, as well as an anti-inflammatory effect for the three evaluated doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg in the fourth and sixth hours after the administration of carrageenan. The histological analyses evidenced considerably reduction in leukocyte migration and the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The study also demonstrated antinociceptive activity for the DCM fraction, which reduced abdominal writhing at three concentrations evaluated, as well as a decrease in paw licking in the formalin-induced nociception test both in the neurogenic phase and the inflammatory phase, with greater effectiveness compared to the anti-inflammatory indomethacin. The DCM fraction also increased the latency time of the animals in the hot plate test 60 min after treatment, although it did not seem to involve the opioidergic system.

CONCLUSION

This work evidenced that the dichloromethane fraction of S. lycocarpum fruit possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, which supports its use in folk medicine for management inflammatory conditions.

Revisiting the ethnomedicinal, ethnopharmacological, phytoconstituents and phytoremediation of the plant Solanum viarum Dunal

Solanum viarum, a perennial shrub, belongs to the family Solanaceae known for its therapeutic value worldwide. As a beneficial remedial plant, it is used for treating several disorders like dysentery, diabetes, inflammation, and respiratory disorders. Phytochemistry studies of this plant have shown the presence of steroidal glycoside alkaloids, including solasonine, solasodine, and solamargine. It also has flavonoids, saponins, minerals, and other substances. S. viarum extracts and compounds possess a variety of pharmacological effects, including antipyretic, antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal, analgesic, and anticancer activity. Most of the heavy metals accumulate in the aerial sections of the plant which is considered a potential phytoremediation, a highly effective method for the treatment of metal-polluted soils. We emphasize the forgoing outline of S. viarum, as well as its ethnomedicinal and ethnopharmacological applications, the chemistry of its secondary metabolites, and heavy metal toxicity. In addition to describing the antitumor activity of compounds and their mechanisms of action isolated from S. viarum, liabilities are also explained and illustrated, including any significant chemical or metabolic stability and toxicity risks. A comprehensive list of information was compiled from Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using different key phrases (traditional use, ethnomedicinal plants, western Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, S viarum, and biological activity). According to the findings of this study, we hope that this review will inspire further studies along the drug discovery pathway of the chemicals extracted from the plant of S. viarum. Further, this review shows that ethnopharmacological information from ethnomedicinal plants can be a promising approach to drug discovery for cancer and diabetes.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of different tissues of Solanum khasianum reveals candidate genes involved in steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis

Fruits and leaves of Solanum khasianum C. B. Clarke have long been used as a common Chinese herbal medicine. Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs), the main active ingredient in S. khasianum, exhibit various pharmacological effects. However, genes involved in the SGA biosynthetic pathway in S. khasianum have not yet been identified. Genes encoding potential key SGA biosynthesis enzymes were identified through comprehensive RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) of S. khasianum leaves, stems, and fruits. A total of 123,704 unigenes were obtained, of which 109,775 (88.74%) were annotated in seven public databases. Among these, 54 unigenes potentially involved in SGA biosynthesis were identified. Additionally, 23,636 differentially expressed genes were identified by comparing gene expression levels among the fruits, stems, and leaves of S. khasianum. The structural characteristics and phylogenetic relationship of cycloartenol synthase involved in SGA biosynthesis were further analyzed. Solasodine constituent was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. This is the first study to report the comparative transcriptome analysis of different tissues of S. khasianum that identifies valuable genes potentially involved in SGA biosynthesis in this species.

Underexploited Brazilian Cerrado fruits as sources of phenolic compounds for diseases management: A review

The Brazilian Cerrado is home to a large number of native and endemic species of enormous potential, among which we can highlight the cagaita, gabiroba, jatobá-do-cerrado, lobeira, and mangaba. In this review, we report the nutritional and phenolic composition, as well as bioactivities of these five Brazilian Cerrado fruits. The compiled data indicated that these fruits have high nutritional, functional, and economic potential and contribute to the daily intake of macro- and micronutrients, energy, and phenolic compounds by inhabitants of the Cerrado region. Phenolic-rich extracts obtained from these fruits have shown several bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidyslipidemic, antidiabetic, analgesic, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, gastrointestinal protective, and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, these fruits can be explored by the food industry as a raw material to develop food products of high value-added, such as functional foods, and can also be employed as plant sources to obtain bioactive compounds for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical purposes.

Solanaceae glycoalkaloids: α-solanine and α-chaconine modify the cardioinhibitory activity of verapamil

CONTEXT

Solanaceae glycoalkaloids (SGAs) possess cardiomodulatory activity.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the potential interaction between verapamil and glycoalkaloids.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The cardioactivity of verapamil and glycoalkaloids (α-solanine and α-chaconine) was tested in adult beetle (Tenebrio molitor) myocardium in vitro using microdensitometric methods. The myocardium was treated with pure substances and mixtures of verapamil and glycoalkaloids for 9 min with saline as a control. Two experimental variants were used: simultaneous application of verapamil and glycoalkaloids or preincubation of the myocardium with one of the compounds followed by perfusion with a verapamil solution. We used 9 × 10^-6-5 × 10^-5 M and 10^-9-10^-5 M concentration for verapamil and glycoalkaloids, respectively.

RESULTS

Verapamil, α-solanine and α-chaconine showed cardioinhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values equal to 1.69 × 10^-5, 1.88 × 10^-7 and 7.48 × 10^-7 M, respectively. When the glycoalkaloids were applied simultaneously with verapamil, an antagonistic effect was observed with a decrease in the maximal inhibitory effect and prolongation of t₅₀ and the recovery time characteristic of verapamil. We also confirmed the expression of two transcript forms of the gene that encodes the α1 subunit of L-type calcium channels in the myocardium and brain with equal transcription levels of both forms in the myocardium and significant domination of the shorter form in the brain of the insect species tested.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results show that attention to the composition of the daily diet during therapy with various drugs is particularly important. In subsequent studies, the nature of interaction between verapamil and SGAs on the molecular level should be checked, and whether this interaction decreases the efficiency of cardiovascular therapy with verapamil in humans.

Toxicity, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Activities of Cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum) and Its Interaction with Magnetic Field in the Skin Wound Healing

Cubiu, an Amazonian fruit, is widely used as food and popular treatment for pathologies that present an inflammatory pattern, such as skin wound healing. However, there is still no confirmation in the scientific literature about the safety profile, as well as the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healing actions of cubiu. This study is divided into two experimental protocols using Wistar rats. Thus, the first objective (protocol 1) of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of an oral administration of cubiu extract at different doses for 28 days. The macroscopic and microscopic analyses of the liver and kidney were performed, and the following analysis was determined in plasma: glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and uric acid. After, we conducted the second protocol aimed to establish the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of cubiu and its interaction with magnetic field in skin wound healing. On days 3, 7, and 14 of treatment, skin and blood samples were collected and analyzed: the oxidative stress biomarkers (reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid, nonprotein thiols, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase), myeloperoxidase enzymatic activity, and cytokines levels (interleukin 1, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). The cubiu has shown to be safe and nontoxic. Both cubiu and magnetic field promoted decreased levels of proinflammatory and prooxidant biomarkers (interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid), as well as increased levels of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers (interleukin 10, nonprotein thiols, and superoxide dismutase), with greater potential when treatments are used in association. Thus, cubiu promotes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action in skin wound healing, while also improving results of the conventional treatment for skin healing (magnetic field) when used in association.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Glycoalkaloids from Underexploited Solanum Species and Their Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Activity

Solanum glycoalkaloids are gaining increased scientific attention due to their bioactive potential in the defense of plants against pests and pathogens. The comprehensive glycoalkaloid profiling from the leaves, stems, and roots of seven underexploited Solanum species (S. caripense, S. melanocerasum, S. muricatum, S. nigrum, S. quitoense, S. retroflexum, and S. sisymbriifolium) was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 51 glycoalkaloids were shared among the studied Solanum species, with concentrations ranging from 7 to 5.63 × 10⁵ ng g⁻¹. Based on the glycoalkaloid composition, plants were separated into two clusters, Cluster 1 (S. melanocerasum, S. nigrum, and S. retroflexum) and Cluster 2 (S. caripense, S. muricatum, S. quitoense, and S. sisymbriifolium). The inhibition activity of glycoalkaloid extracts on acetylcholinesterase showed a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), ranging from 0.4 (S. nigrum stems) to 344.9 µg mL⁻¹ (S. sisymbriifolium leaves), that was not directly correlated to the total glycoalkaloid contents. This suggests that the composition of glycoalkaloids in the plant extract, rather than the total concentration, is a driver of biological activity. The study provides a framework for the bioprospecting of underexploited Solanum species for exploring bioactive glycoalkaloids and other compounds with potential pesticidal activities for the development of green bioformulation. This is the first comprehensive report on the glycoalkaloid profiles of S. retroflexum.

Peiminine Reduces ARTS-Mediated Degradation of XIAP by Modulating the PINK1/Parkin Pathway to Ameliorate 6-Hydroxydopamine Toxicity and α-Synuclein Accumulation in Parkinson's Disease Models In Vivo and In Vitro

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that can cause motor, cognitive, and behavioral disorders. The treatment strategies being developed are based on the typical pathologic features of PD, including the death of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and the accumulation of α-synuclein in neurons. Peiminine (PMN) is an extract of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq that has antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. We used Caenorhabditis elegans and SH-SY5Y cell models of PD to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of PMN and address its corresponding mechanism of action. We found that pretreatment with PMN reduced reactive oxygen species production and DA neuron degeneration caused by exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and therefore significantly improved the DA-mediated food-sensing behavior of 6-OHDA-exposed worms and prolonged their lifespan. PMN also diminished the accumulation of α-synuclein in transgenic worms and transfected cells. In our study of the mechanism of action, we found that PMN lessened ARTS-mediated degradation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) by enhancing the expression of PINK1/parkin. This led to reduced 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis, enhanced activity of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, and increased autophagy, which diminished the accumulation of α-synuclein. The use of small interfering RNA to down-regulate parkin reversed the benefits of PMN in the PD models. Our findings suggest PMN as a candidate compound worthy of further evaluation for the treatment of PD.

Potential Use of Vacuum Impregnation and High-Pressure Homogenization to Obtain Functional Products from Lulo Fruit (Solanum quitoense Lam.)

Lulo (Solanum quitoense Lam.) is a Colombian fruit that is mostly used in the preparation of homemade juice as well as natural remedy for hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine physicochemical and antioxidant properties (antioxidant capacity, total phenols, flavonoids and spermidine content, and polyphenolic compounds profile by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)) of the lulo fruit and its juice. Additionally, vacuum impregnation (VI) properties of the fruit and the effect of high homogenization pressure (50, 100, and 150 MPa) on the juice properties were studied. The results revealed a good availability and impregnation capacity of the pores in fruits with similar maturity index. The main differences observed between the juice and fruit derive from removing solids and bioactive components in the filtering operation. However, the effect of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) on particle size and bioactive compounds increases the antiradical capacity of the juice and the diversity in polyphenolics when increasing the homogenization pressure.

Hydroalcoholic Extract of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) Leaves Improves Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Complications in Mice

BACKGROUND

Solanum lycocarpum is a medicinal plant widely-used in Brazil because its fruits have hypoglycemic activity. However, the fruits are restricted in some periods of the year.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of S. lycocarpum leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

METHODS

Hydroalcoholic extract of S. lycocarpum was characterized by phytochemical and GC-MS analysis. The Antidiabetic activity was assessed following treatment for 22 days with S. lycocarpum extract at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg. Bodyweight, water, and food intake, glycemia, biochemical parameters, anatomy-histopathology of the pancreas, liver and kidney, and expression of target genes were analyzed. In addition, oral acute toxicity was evaluated.

RESULTS

Animals treated showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in glycemia following a dose of 125 mg/kg. Food intake remained similar for all groups. Decreased polydipsia symptoms were observed after treatment with 250 (p < 0.001) and 500 mg/kg (p < 0.01) compared with diabetic control, although normal rates were observed when 125 mg/kg was administered. A protective effect was also observed in the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, through the regeneration of the islets. Hypoglycemic activity can be attributed to myo-inositol, which stimulates insulin secretion, associated with α-tocopherol, which prevents damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis of β-pancreatic cells by an increased Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mRNA expression. The toxicological test demonstrated safe oral use of the extract under the present conditions.

CONCLUSION

Hydroalcoholic extract of S. lycocarpum promotes the regulation of diabetes in the case of moderate glycemic levels, by decreasing glycemia and exerting protective effects on the islets.