Der Pharmacia Lettre
Abstract
Author(s): Sachin Parmar, Amit Gangwal, Navin Sheth
Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae) (SX) is an important medicinal herb in Ayurvedic
medicine. Since, there are few articles on this plant, the present review is undertaken to
summarize available data and compile all the updated information on its phytochemical and
pharmacological activities. Various studies indicated that SX possesses antiasthmatic,
hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and insect repellent properties. Although the
results are very encouraging and indicated that some of the constituents of the plant like
solasodine and diosgenin are important therapeutically, the herb should be studied more
extensively to confirm these results and reveal other potential therapeutic effects. Various
traditional claims like immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antianaphylactic and
antitumor effects of the plant are still remain to be validated scientifically. Clinical trials for the
reported preclinical studies should be performed urgently to further validate the claims on
humans.
