Solanum indicum Health Dictionary

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  2. Solanum Indicum

Solanum Indicum: From 1 Different Sources

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India in the plains and foot hills.

English: Poison Berry.

Ayurvedic: Brihati, Kshudra- bhantaaki, Kateri (bigger var.).

Unani: Hadaq, Kataai Kalaan.

Siddha: Mullamkatti, Papparamulli (root).

Folk: Barahantaa.

Action: Root—carminative, expectorant; used for colic, dysuria, coughs and catarrhal affections.

A decoction is prescribed in difficult parturition.

The fruits and leaves contain gly- coalkaloid, solasonine; the presence of solanine in roots, leaves and fruits has been reported. Diosgenin is also present in leaves, stems and fruits.

The total alkaloid content of fruit varies from 0.2 to 1.8% (dry weight basis); plants growing in Jammu and Kashmir bear fruits with high alkaloid content (total alkaloid 1.8%).

An alcoholic extract of fruits is active against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The extract of leaves is also active against E. coli.

The bigger var. of Kateri (Indian Nightshade) is also equated with S. an- guivi Lam., synonym S. indicum auct. non L. It contains salasonine, dios- genin, beta-sitosterol, lanosterol, sola- margine, solasodine and tomatidenol. The seed oil contains carpestrol.

Dosage: Root—10-20 g for decoction. (API, Vol. II.)
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Oroxylum Indicum

Vent. 453

Action: Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant. Leaves and seed— astringent, antispasmodic. Warm infusion of herb—promotes suppressed menstrual flow.

The herb contains about 3% volatile oil comprising sabinene hydrate, sa- binene, linalool, carvacrol, estrogole, eugenol and terpenes; flavonoids including luteolin-7-glucoside, dios- metin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-gluco- side; rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid; and triterpenoids such as ursolic acid, olea- nolic acid, sterols.

Marjoram herb and oil exhibit antibacterial action. (German Commission E.) The herb contains arbutin and hydroxyquinone (a carcinogenic agent) in low concentrations. The herb is not suited for extended use. Topical application of hydroxyquinone leads to depigmentation of the skin. There is no reports of similar side effects with marjoram ointment. (German Commission E.)

Origanum vulgare Linn. (Wild Marjoram) contains volatile oil with a widely varying composition; major components include thymol, beta-bisabolene, caryophyllene, linalool and borneol; other constituents are similar to those of O. majorana.

The leaves of Wild Marjoram contain phenolic acids. The phenyl propionic acid and the phenyl glucoside showed antioxidant activity comparable to that of BHA, a synthetic antiox- idant.

Wild Marjoram preparations are used for bronchial catarrh and disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract in Unani medicine.

Sweet Marjoram shows stronger effect on the nervous system than Wild Marjoram and gives better results in anxiety, headaches and insomnia.

Both the species have been included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.... oroxylum indicum

Abutilon Indicum

Linn. Sweet.

Synonym: A. indicum G. Don.

Family: Malvaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the hotter parts of India. Found as a weed in the sub-Himalayan tract and other hills up to 1,200 m.

English: Country Mallow, Flowering Maples, Chinese Bell-flowers.

Ayurvedic: Atibalaa, Kankatikaa, Rishyaproktaa.

Unani: Kanghi, Musht-ul-Ghaul, Darkht-e-Shaan.

Siddha/Tamil: Thutthi.

Folk: Kanghi, Kakahi, Kakahiyaa.

Action: Dried, whole plant— febrifuge, anthelmintic, demulcent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory (in urinary and uterine discharges, piles, lumbago). Juice of the plant— emollient. Seeds—demulcent (used in cough, chronic cystitis), laxative. Leaves—cooked and eaten for bleeding piles. Flowers— antibacterial, anti-inflammatory. Bark—astringent, diuretic. Root— nervine tonic, given in paralysis; also prescribed in strangury.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of the root in gout, polyuria and haemorrhagic diseases.

The plant contains mucilage, tannins, asparagines, gallic acid and ses- quiterpenes. Presence of alkaloids, leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides is also reported.

Asparagine is diuretic. Gallic acid is analgesic. Mucilages act by reflex, loosen cough as well as bronchial tension. Essential oil—antibacterial, antifungal.

The drug exhibits immunological activity. It augments antibody in animals. EtOH (50%) extract of A. indicum ssp. guineense Borssum, synonym A. asiaticum (Linn.) Sweet, exhibits anticancer activity.

Related sp. include: Abutilon avicen- nae Gaertn., synonym A. theophrastii

Medic.; A. fruticosum Guill. et al.; A. hirtum (Lam.) Sweet, synonym A. graveolens Wt. and Arn.; A. muticum Sweet, synonym A. glaucum Sweet; and A. polyandrum Wight and Arn., synonym A. persicum (Burm. f.) Merrill (known as Naani-khapaat, Jhinaki- khapaat, Kanghi, Makhamali-khapaat and Khaajavani-khapaat, respectively, in folk medicine).

Dosage: Root—3-6 g powder. (API Vol I.)... abutilon indicum

Chrysanthemum Indicum

Linn.

Synonym: Pyrethrum indicum L.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Native to China and Japan. Cultivated as an ornamental.

English: Chrysanthemum.

Ayurvedic: Shatapatri.

Unani: Guldaaudi.

Siddha/Tamil: Samanthipoo, Akkarakkaram.

Action: Flowers—stomachic, aperient, anti-inflammatory. Leaves— prescribed in migraine (as circulatory stimulant). Uses same as those of chamomile.

The flowers contain daucosterol, cumambrin-A, glyceryl-l-monobehe- nate and palmitic acid. The flowers also contain chrysanthemol which showed strong anti-inflammatory activity in mice. The flavones, apigenin and lu- teolin, are reported to exhibit marked antitumour activity.

Flowers yield an essential oil containing camphor (16.0%), trans-cara- ne-trans-2-ol (15.0%), bornyl acetate (12.0%) and sabinene (7%).

A related species C. parthenium (Linn.) Berhh., Feverfew, synonym Tanacetum parthenium, used for the management of migraine in Western herbal, is found in Jammu and Kashmir. The plant extracts have a powerful and prostaglandin-independent inhibitory effect on the secretion of granule content by leucocytes and platelets. The inhibition of the agonist-induced serotonins release by platelets could be accounted for the benefit in migraine. The compound responsible for the anti-secretory activity has been identified as sesquiterpene alpha-methylene- gamma-lactone derivatives; partheno- lide being the main constituent of the lactones. (Two fresh or frozen leaves a day are chewed or capsules or pills containing 86 mg of the leaf material is taken for migraine. Fresh leaves may cause mouth sores.)... chrysanthemum indicum

Limnanthemum Indicum

(L.) Griseb.

Synonym: Menyanthes indica Linn. Nymphoides indicum (L.) O. Kuntze.

Family: Menyanthaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, in tanks and back waters.

Folk: Barachuli, Chinnambal (Kerala).

Action: Plant—bitter, febrifuge, antiscorbutic. Used as a substitute for Swertia Chirata in fever and jaundice.... limnanthemum indicum

Sapium Indicum

Willd.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Moist parts of India, especially along sea-coasts and back waters.

Siddha/Tamil: Pencolum.

Folk: Hurnaa (Maharashtra).

Action: Root bark—emetic, acrid and purgative.

The fruit contains aesculetin. A lac- tone and an alcohol has been isolated from the bark.... sapium indicum

Solanum Aculeatissimum

Jacq.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Assam and Kerala, in damp and waste places.

Ayurvedic: Brihati (related species, used in Kerala). Brihati and Kantakaari have been used in Indian medicine as synonyms.

Action: Both fruit and leaves contain glycoalkaloid solanine; immature fruits contain more of it than the ripe ones. Air-dried leaves and fruits contain 0.26 and 0.14% of alkaloids, respectively. See S. indicum Linn.... solanum aculeatissimum

Solanum Dubium

Fresen.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Sandy coast of Saurashtra (Gujarat).

Ayurvedic: Kantakaari (related species).

Action: Seeds are soaked and eaten in Africa for the treatment of venereal diseases. See S. xanthocarpum.... solanum dubium

Clerodendrum Indicum

(Linn.) Kuntze.

Synonym: Clerodendron siphonan- thus (R. Br.) C. B. Clarke.

Family: Verbenaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated as an ornamental throughout India, especially in South and Eastern India.

English: Turk's Turban, Tube- Flower.

Ayurvedic: Vaamana-haati (a substitute for Bhaarangi).

Siddha/Tamil: Kavalai, Narivalai.

Action: Root—used for asthma, cough, scrofulous affections. Leaf— vermifuge. Resin—antirheumatic. The plant is also used in fever, atrophy, emaciation of cachexia and consumption.

The leaves contain flavonoids—scu- tellarein (0.5%), hispidulin (0.1%) and their 7-O-glucuronides; also sterols. Flowers contain beta-sitosterol and tri- terpenoids. The bark yields hexitol and sorbitol.

The flavone, pectolinarin and a di- terpene, oncinotine, exhibit antifee- dant activity.... clerodendrum indicum

Heliotropium Indicum

Linn.

Family: Boraginaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India.

English: Scorpion Tail.

Ayurvedic: Hastishundi Shrihastini, Vrischikaali.

Siddha/Tamil: Thaelkodukku.

Action: Plant—diuretic, astringent, emollient, vulnerary. Used as a local application for ulcers, wounds, sores, gum boils and skin affections. Decoction of leaves is used in urticaria and fevers; that of root in coughs. Flowers—emmenagogue in small doses, abortifacient in large doses. Masticated seeds— stomachic.

Aerial parts of the plant contain alkaloids—indicine (principal base), echinatine, supinine, heleurine, he- liotrine, lasiocarpine and lasiocarpine- N-oxide. Aerial parts and root gave an anticancer principle—indicine-N- oxide.

The aqueous and alcohol extracts of the plant possess oxytocic activity. The roots contain significant amounts of estradiol, a sex hormone.

The inflorescences are used by trib- als for scorpion bite.... heliotropium indicum

Nerium Indicum

Mill.

Synonym: N. odorum Soland.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Native of Mediterranean region; grown in Indian gardens.

English: Indian oleander, White oleander.

Ayurvedic: Karavira, Viraka, Ashva- maaraka, Hayamaaraka, Gauripush- pa, Divyapushpa, Shatakumbha, Siddhapushpa (white-flowered var.). Raktapushpa, Raktaprasava, Ravipriya (red-flowered var.)

Unani: Kaner Safed, Diflaa, Samm-ul-maar, Khar-zaharah.

Siddha/Tamil: Arali, Alari, Aatrulari, Karaviram.

Action: Root—resolvent and attenuant. A paste of the root is externally applied to haemorrhoids and ulcerations in leprosy. Paste of the root bark and leaves is used in ringworm and other skin diseases. An oil extracted from the root bark is used in skin diseases of scaly nature. Leaves—cardioactive (digitalis-like effect) and diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, insecticidal. Toxic.

The leaves contain several glyco- sides including glycosides of 8 beta- hydroxy-digitoxigenin. Cardenolide glycosides and pregnanolone glyco- sides have been isolated from roots.

The ethanolic extract of the flowers inhibits the growth of dermatophytes.

The plant shows antifungal activity against ringworm fungus, Microspo- rum nanum.

Dosage: Detoxified leaves—30— 125 mg powder (API, Vol. I); root— 30 mg—125 mg powder (API, Vol. III).... nerium indicum

Solanum Spirale

Roxb.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Assam, Khasi Hills. Banga (Bengal); Titakuchi (Assam); Soh- jhari (Khasi); Mungas-kajur (root, Bihar).

Action: Root—diuretic, narcotic. Unripe berries—poisonous.

The leaves contain 1.29% alkaloids. Partial synthesis of etiolin has been reported.... solanum spirale

Sandoricum Indicum

Cav.

Family: Caprifoliaceae.

Habitat: Kangra and in Simla hills.

English: European Elder, Black Elder.

Unani: Khamaan Kabir.

Action: Anti-inflammatory, anticatarrhal, diuretic. Flowers and berries—used for common cold, influenza, nasal catarrh, sinusitis; as a gargle in sore throat. Inner bark—cathartic, hydragogue, emetic, diuretic. Infusion of bark and flowers—given in epilepsy; also used as a gentle circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, expectant and anticatarrhal; locally in inflammations.

Key application: In colds, also as a diaphoretic and anticatarrhal. (German Commission E, The British Herbal Compendium, WHO.)

The flowers contain triterpenes including ursolic acid; flavonoids (up to 3%) including rutin; phenolic acids; triterpenes; sterols; tannins; mucilage; volatile oil (up to 0.2%); leaves gave

Synonym: S. koetjape (Burm. f.) Merrill.

Family: Meliaceae.

Habitat: Wild in Kangra and in Simla hills.

English: European Elder.

Siddha/Tamil: Sevai, Sayai.

Action: Root—astringent, carminative, antispasmodic. Used for diarrhoea. Bark—anthelmintic.

Fruit hulls gave bryonic and bryono- lic acids, mesoinosital and dimethyl mucate; heartwood also gave triter- penic acids including katonic and in- dicic acid.

The seeds gave limonoids—sandori- cin and 6-hydroxysandoricin. A sec- otriterpene, koetjapic acid, together with katonic acid, has been isolated from the stem. Sandoricin and 6- hydroxysandoricin exhibited effective antifeedant activity. Katonic acid exhibited significant cytotoxicity against a variety of cultured human cancer cells.... sandoricum indicum

Sesamum Indicum

Linn.

Synonym: S. orientale Linn.

Family: Pedaliaceae.

Habitat: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.

English: Sesame, Gingelly.

Ayurvedic: Tila, Snehphala.

Unani: Kunjad, Til.

Siddha: Ellu (seed), Nallennai (oil).

Action: Seeds—an important source of protein; also rich in thiamine and niacine. Nourishing, lactagogue, diuretic, laxative, emollient. Powdered seeds—given internally in amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. (Black seeds are preferred in Indian medicine.) Paste is applied to burns, scalds, piles. Leaves—used in affections of kidney and bladder. Bland mucilage is used in infantile diarrhoea, dysentery, catarrh and bladder troubles, acute cystitis and strangury.

Non-saponifiable fraction of the seed oil gave sterols, a lignans, sesamin and a nitrolactone, sesamolin. Sesamin and sesamolin are not found in any other vegetable oil. Sesamin is present in a concentration of 0.5 to 1.0%. The oil from the white seeds from West Bengal and Assam is reported to contain about 2.5% sesamin. Sesamol, a phenolic antioxidant, is present in traces.

The leaves gave a flavonoid, pedalin. Pinoresinol has also been reported from the plant.

The seed contains thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, pyridoxine, in- ositol, choline, p-aminobenzoic acid, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, alpha-and beta-tocopherol. Sugars present are glucose, surcose, galactose, planteose, raffinose. Fatty acid in the seed are myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic, hexadecenoic, oleic, linoleic and lig- noceric.

Basic aroma compounds of the roasted seeds consisted of mainly dimethyl thiazole and substituted pyrozines.

Dosage: Seed—5-10 g powder. (API, Vol. IV.)... sesamum indicum

Seseli Indicum

W. & A.

Synonym: S. diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Santapau & Wagh

Family: Umbelliferae; Apiaceae.

Habitat: Outer hills of the Himalayas in Kumaon and in the plains from Punjab to Bengal, and in Tamil Nadu and Mysore.

Ayurvedic: Vanya-yamaani.

Action: Seeds—stimulant, an- thelmintic (used for round worms), carminative.

Seselin, isolated from the seeds, exhibited significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carragee- nan-induced acute inflammation in rats. It also exhibited significant analgesic activity and was found to be safe in oral doses up to 6 g/kg (body weight) in 72 h mortality test in mice.

A sample of commercial oil, available as Ajmod Oil, is reported to contain (+)-limonene (50%), seselin, (-)- beta-selinene andbeta-cyclolavendulic acid.... seseli indicum

Solanum Albicaule

Kotschy ex Dunal.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Saurashtra (Gujarat) and Rajasthan.

Ayurvedic: Brihati (related species).

Folk: Narkanta (Rajasthan).

Action: A decoction of the plant is prescribed for the treatment of ulcers.

See S. indicum Linn. contains solamargine and solasodamine. The average alkaloidal content (calculated as solasodine) of leaves collected from Kashmir, is reported to be 0.3% (dry weight basis).... solanum albicaule

Solanum Dulcamara

Linn.

Solanum aviculare Forst. f.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Introduced to Kashmir for experimental cultivation.

Ayurvedic: Kantakaari (related species).

Action: An important source of solasodine, a nitrogen analogue of diosgenin and one of the starting materials for the synthesis of corticosteroids and other steroidal hormones.

See S. xanthocarpum. The leaves, stems, flowers and green fruits contain the glycoalkaloid, solaso- nine, of which solasodine is the agly- cone. Besides solasonine, the plant

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim at altitudes of 1,200-2,400 m.

English: Woody Night Shade, Bittersweet, Bitter Nightshade, Felonwort.

Ayurvedic: Kaakamaachi-vishesha, Valli-kantakaarikaa.

Unani: Mako (red var.).

Action: Twigs and root bark— stimulating, expectorant, hepatic, astringent, antirheumatic, alterative, antifungal. Dried branches— sedative and analgesic. Used for chronic bronchitis, chronic eczema and rheumatism.

Key application: As a supportive therapy for chronic eczema. (German Commission E.)

The plant is rich in alkaloidal glyco- sides. Alpha-, beta-, gamma-solamari- ne were isolated from the fruits. Toma- tidenol I existed in the plant as alpha- and beta-solamarine. Solasodine was obtained in traces as secondary alkaloid; it existed as solasonine and sola- margine. Aerial parts gave alpha-and beta-soladulcine, the glycoalkaloids. The sterols were present in free form and as esters, glucosides and palmitic esters of glucosides.

Beta-solamarine shows significant tumour-inhibiting activity. Steroidal saponins are antifungal; alkaloids are anticholinergic; solasodine exhibit antiphlogistic activity.... solanum dulcamara

Solanum Elaeagnifolium

Cav.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Native to tropical America; naturalized in India as a weed (met with in cultivated fields and gardens in Coimbatore).

English: White Horse-Nettle.

Action: Plant—used as a poultice for sores and ulcers. The plant is a rich source of the steroidal alkaloid, solasodine. The fruit and leaves contain 3-4% (solasodine 3.2%) and 0.18% total alkaloids. Fruits also contain 0.55% diosgenin.

A related species S. khasianum (Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Orissa and the Nilgiris, ascending to an altitude of 1,600 m) is also a good source of solaso- dine. The fruits collected from Nilgiris contain 5.4% solasodine on dry weight basis.... solanum elaeagnifolium

Solanum Erianthum

D. Don.

Synonym: S. verbascifolium auct. non Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: The tropical and subtropical India and the Andamans. Cultivated in South India. (for berries).

Folk: Chundai (Tami Nadu, Kerala); Rasagadimaanu (Andhra Pradesh); Sowdangigida, Kadusinde (Karnataka); Kutri (Maharashtra). Vidaari is a confusing synonym (used by The Wealth of India). (Vidaari is equated with Pureraria tuberosa.)

Action: Roots—a decoction is prescribed for vertigo. Leaves— prescribed for vaginal discharges. Various plant parts are ground with warm water and applied externally to lessen inflammation, burning sensation and pain. The glycoalkaloid, solasonine is present in the leaves and fruits.... solanum erianthum

Solanum Ferox

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Throughout warmer parts of India, up to an elevation of 1,500 m.

Ayurvedic: Brihati, Brihatikaa, Mahati, Hinguli, Prasaha, Vartaki, Kaantaa, Kshudra-bhantaki, Simhi, Bana-bhantaa. Kateri (bigger var.)

Unani: Katai Kalaan.

Siddha/Tamil: Mulli, Pappara-mulli, Karimulli.

Folk: Raam-begun (Bengal).

Action: Plant and root—stimulant, digestive, carminative, astringent, expectorant, diaphoretic, anthelmintic. Used for catarrhal affections, asthma, dry cough; dysuria; intestinal worms; colic, flatulence, vomiting. Berries—used in asthma and rheumatism.

Air-dried fruits and leaves contain solanine; 0.30 and 0.43% of total alkaloids respectively.

Dosage: Fruit, root—3-6 g powder; 50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... solanum ferox

Solanum Melongena

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Native to India; cultivated throughout India.

English: Eggplant, Brinjal.

Ayurvedic: Bhantaki, Bhantaa, Vaartaaka, Vaartaaku, Vaartaakini, Vrintaaka.

Unani: Baingan.

Siddha/Tamil: Kathirikai.

Folk: Baingan, Bhantaa.

Action: Fruit—recommended in liver complaints and for amenorrhoea. The fruit is reported to stimulate the intrahepatic metabolism of cholesterol, produces a marked drop in blood cholesterol level. Aqueous extract of fruit is reported to inhibit choline esterase activity of human plasma. Root—anti- asthmatic. Leaves—toxic; used mostly externally for the treatment of burns, cold sores and abscesses. Seeds—anticholesterolemic.

Steroidal saponins, melongosides were isolated from seeds; tigogenin, diosgenin were also obtained. Querce- tin, 3-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol- 3-O-rutinoside have been isolated from the leaves. The ethanol extract (80%) showed anti-inflammatory activity in paw oedema and cotton pellet method in rats. Crude extract of fruits showed diuresis and dose-dependent hypotensive response in normotensive rats. Ether-soluble methanolic extract exhibited strong inhibitory activity on lipoxygenase, involved in atherosclerotic processes and platelet aggregation in rats.

Solanum melongena Linn. var. incanum Kuntze, synonym S. coagulans Forsk. is known as Bana-bhantaa (also a synonym of Solanum ferox) and is used as Brihati in Kerala. Air-dried fruits and leaves from coimbatore contain 1.05 and 0.97% of alkaloids respectively. The fruits contain solaso- dine, campesterol and beta-sitosterol. Solamargine, solasodine, ursolic acid and its derivatives exhibited significant cytotoxic effects against human P2C/PRF/5 cells in vitro.... solanum melongena

Solanum Nigrum

Linn.

Synonym: S. rubrum Mill.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, in dry parts, up to an elevation of 2,100 m.

English: Black Nightshade.

Ayurvedic: Kaakamaachi, Kaakaahya, Kaakamaataa, Dhvankshamaachi.

Unani: Mako (smallar var., black var.)

Siddha/Tamil: Manittakkali.

Action: Plant—anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, diuretic, laxative, antiseptic; fresh extract is used for inflammatory swellings, enlargement of liver and spleen and in cirrhosis of liver. Berries— antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic. Berries and flowers—prescribed in cough and cold. Leaves— applied hot to swollen testicles; paste used as poultice to gout, rheumatic swellings and skin diseases.

The berries contain steroidal alkaloid glycosides, solasonine, alpha- and beta-solanigrine, alpha-and beta- solamargine; steroidal sapogenins, di- osgenin and tigogenin; solasodine and solasodine.

Solamargine and solasonine are present also in leaves. The total alkaloid content of fruits and leaves are 0.101 and 0.431% respectively.

Dosage: Whole plant—5-10 ml juice. (API, Vol. II.)... solanum nigrum

Solanum Torvum

Sw.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Throughout tropical parts of India, in waste places.

English: West Indian Turkey Berry.

Ayurvedic: Brihati (White-flowered- var.), Goshtha-vaartaaku.

Siddha/Tamil: Chundai.

Folk: Ran-Baingan, Goth-begun.

Action: Plant—digestive, diuretic, sedative. Leaves—haemostatic. Fruits—useful in liver and spleen enlargement (cooked and eaten as a vegetable); decoction used for cough. Root—used for poulticing cracks in feet.

Unripe fruits and leaves contain the glycoalkaloid, solasonine (0.37% total alkaloids in air-dried fruits of the plant from Khasi and Jaintia hills). Hydrolysis of the neutral glucosidal fraction yields a steroidal sapogenin, chloro- genin, which is rare in Solanum sp.

The fruits gave sitosterol-D-gluco- side.

Extracts of the plant affect the rate and amplitude of respiration, also blood pressure. They also contract isolated ileum of guinea-pig. Leaves contain no vitamin K or derivatives of naphthoquinone; their haemostatic action may be due to the oil or pectins or both.... solanum torvum

Solanum Trilobatum

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Deccan Peninsula.

English: Climbing Brinjal.

Ayurvedic: Alarka, Valli- kantakaarikaa, Kantakaari-lataa.

Siddha/Tamil: Toothuvilai.

Action: Berries and flowers—a decoction is used for cough and chronic bronchitis.

The steroidal alkaloid, solasodine, is present in fruit and leaf of the plant (air-dried fruits and leaves from Coim- batore gave 0.96 and 0.36% respectively). A crude glycoalkaloid mixture, isolated from the plant material, contained about 20% beta-solamarine. The plant exhibited antimitotic, antitu- mour, antibacterial and antifungal activities and showed promising results in two cancer test systems—KB cell and sarcoma 180 in mice.... solanum trilobatum

Solanum Tuberosum

Linn.

Habitat: Native to South America; grown almost throughout India.

English: Patoto.

Ayurvedic: Aaluka, Aaruka, Golaalu. (Aaluka, yam of Indian medicine, is equated with species of Dioscorea.)

Folk: Aaluu.

Action: Potatoes are consumed as food. Extract of leaves is used as antispasmodic in cough. Potato juice is given as an adjuvant in the treatment of peptic ulcer for bringing relief from pain and acidity. Starch and very small quantities of atropine alkaloids reduce digestive secretions and stomach acids. Potatoes are good for patients suffering from hyperacidity; boiled potatoes make an excellent diet for those having hypertension.... solanum tuberosum

Solanum Xanthocarpum

S. & W.

Synonym: S. surattense Burm.f. S. virginianum Linn. S. maccanni Sant.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India.

English: Wild Eggplant, Yellow- Berried Nightshade.

Ayurvedic: Kantakaari, Kan- takaarikaa, Vyaaghri, Nidigdhikaa, Nidigdhaa, Duhsparshaa, Dhaa- vani, Kshudraa, Keteri (Smallar var.), Bhatakataiyaa. Used as Lakshmanaa.

Unani: Kataai Khurd, Hadaq.

Action: Stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, laxative, febrifuge. Used in the treatment of cough, bronchitis, asthma, for dislodging tenacious phlegm; also used against rheumatism, enlargement of liver and spleen, vomiting, difficult urination, bladder stones, skin diseases. Fruit—used as an adjuvant for promoting conception.

Fruits gave solasonine, solamargine, beta-solamargine and solasodine; petals yielded apigenin; stamens gave quercetin diglycoside and sitosterol. The glycoalkaloid content of fruits collected from Jammu and Kashmir is reported to be 3.5% (total alkaloids, 1.1%). The presence of diosgenin in the plant has been reported.

Both glycoalkaloid and fatty acid fractions of the plants extracts cause liberation of histamine from chopped lung tissue. The beneficial effect of the drug on bronchial asthma may be attributed to the depletion of histamine from bronchial and lung tissue.

Dosage: Whole plant—20-30 g for decoction. (API, Vol. I.)... solanum xanthocarpum

Trichodesma Indicum

R. Br.

Family: Boraginaceae.

Habitat: The greater part of India in the plains.

Ayurvedic: Adah-pushpi, Adho- mukha, Gandhapushpika, Andhaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Kalhudaitumbai.

Folk: Andhaahuli.

Action: Herb—Diuretic, emollient, febrifuge. Leaf—depurative. Root— anti-inflammatory, astringent, antidysenteric. Pounded and applied to swelling of joints. Flower—sudorific and pectoral.

The seeds gave linoleic, linolenic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids. Hex- acosane, ethylhexacosanoate, 21,24- hexacosadienoic acid ethylester have been isolated from the leaves.

Dosage: Root—5-10 g paste. (CCRAS.)... trichodesma indicum

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