Clinico-Immunological Analysis of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Allergy Indicates Preponderance of Allergens in the Peel

Nightshade Vegetables: A Dietary Trigger for Worsening Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

The Solanaceae family of plants, commonly known as Nightshade vegetables or Nightshades, contains a diverse range of crops of over 2000 members with significant culinary, economic, and cultural importance. Familiar edible Nightshades include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and white potatoes. Many pharmacologically active compounds used in traditional medicine, including atropine and hyoscyamine, are derived from Nightshades. In addition to these beneficial pharmacologic agents, Nightshade-derived glycoalkaloid compounds, a key defense mechanism against predation, have been shown to disrupt intestinal epithelium and to potentially activate mast cells in the gut mucosa, leading to adverse symptoms in humans. There is a new appreciation that mast cell activation is an allergic inflammatory mechanism contributing both to pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to gut inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Given their ubiquity in Western diets and their shared glycoalkaloid active compounds, edible Nightshades are attracting new interest as a potential trigger for worsening gut symptoms in functional and inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. Here, we review the limited existing literature on the adverse effects of Nightshade consumption, including the effects of Nightshade-derived glycoalkaloids on IBD gut inflammation, and the under-recognized contribution of Nightshades to food allergies and allergic cross-reactivity. We then highlight new evidence on the contributions of mast cell activation to GI disorder pathogenesis, including potential linkages between Nightshade antigens, intestinal mast cells, and GI dysfunction in IBS and IBD.

Solanum melongena allergy (A comprehensive review)

The Solanaceae family, including, among other, eggplants, represents the sixth most widely cultivated crops around the globe. We review the current data regarding allergies to Solanum melongena (eggplants), generating symptoms that range from gastrointestinal to respiratory allergic reactions. Currently, there are more than 4 mechanisms and molecules presumably involved in triggering allergic reactions to Solanum melongena: The lipid transfer protein (LTP) pathway, the profilin pathway, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) mechanism and other molecules. Allergies may be triggered both by pollen respiratory reactions and fruit intake. There is also an important cross-reactivity mechanism revealed by recent studies. Our literature review revealed many case series studies, some with in-depth molecular analysis of the triggering mechanism. However, wide population studies are still scarce. Current geographical distribution of the crops and population migrations should enhance the awareness of allergy and immunology specialists, ENT specialists, emergency physicians and pediatricians to the need for proper routine laboratory testing for possible Solanum allergy.

Aubergine and potato sensitivity with latex sensitisation and oral allergy syndrome

Aubergine allergy is rare outside of India and the far east, and very few cases have been reported. We describe a case of aubergine allergy in a 9-year-old girl of Anglo-Indian descent who also had sensitivity to potato, coincidental oral allergy syndrome, and latex sensitisation with mild oral symptoms on consuming kiwi fruit. Specific IgE to aubergine was negative, but skin testing was positive to both raw and cooked aubergine. With early and increased consumption of exotic vegetables in western countries, more cases of aubergine allergy can be expected and negative blood tests do not exclude type 1 sensitivity.