Solanum lycocarpum
Solanum lycocarpum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (2 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Solanum lycocarpum is a plant species notable for its medicinal potential, particularly through the use of its fruit. Various preparations, including the methanolic extract of the fruits and the fruit glycoalkaloid extract (SL), have been studied for their bioactive properties. These extracts contain key chemicals such as solamargine, solasonine, lobofrutoside, and solasodine. Research indicates that these compounds exhibit significant antinociceptive and antioxidant activities. Consequently, this plant shows therapeutic promise in addressing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, and Schistosoma mansoni.
- Synonyms
- Solanum Grandiflorum Var. Pulverulentum · Solanum Lycocarpum F. Angustifolium · 9 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Fruit
Classification
Common Names
Solanum lycocarpum is a fascinating plant known by a variety of diverse regional and international names. In many areas, it is frequently referred to as Lobeira or simply Lobo. It is also widely recognized by the descriptive term fruta-do-lobo. Moving into the English-speaking world, the species is commonly called the wolf apple or wolf-apple. These various monikers highlight the plant's widespread presence and cultural significance across different languages.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Solanum lycocarpum is a complex species that encompasses several important taxonomic synonyms. Within its botanical classification, it is closely linked to various forms of Solanum grandiflorum, such as f. apaense and f. paraguariensis. The plant's diversity is further reflected in its recognized varieties, including var. angustifolium and var. macrocarpum. Additionally, the synonym var. pulverulentum highlights the intricate morphological variations found within this group. Understanding these relationships is essential for accurate identification and study within the Solanum genus.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Solanum lycocarpum is a remarkable plant that belongs to the vast kingdom Plantae. Within this biological classification, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida. It further resides in the order Solanales, showcasing its evolutionary connections. This species is a distinguished member of the genus Solanum, which highlights its botanical lineage. Finally, its specific placement within the family Solanaceae connects it to a diverse group of well-known botanical relatives.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Genus | Solanum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Solanum lycocarpum is a plant species primarily distributed throughout South America. Within Brazil, its presence is widespread, spanning the Northeast, Southeast, and South regions. It also thrives across the West-Central territory of the country, demonstrating significant adaptability to various local environments. Beyond Brazilian borders, the plant extends its reach into Southern South America. Specifically, its range includes parts of Paraguay, highlighting its broad geographical footprint across the continent.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Solanum lycocarpum is characterized by its robust shrub growth form. As a self-supporting plant, it maintains its own structural integrity without the need for external support. Depending on environmental conditions, its height typically reaches a maximum of 2.5 meters. In certain optimal circumstances, this species can grow even taller, reaching a maximum height of 5 meters.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Solanum lycocarpum is a significant medicinal species native to the Brazilian Cerrado that has long been utilized in folk medicine. Recent scientific investigations into its ripe fruits have specifically focused on the dichloromethane fraction to uncover its therapeutic properties. The research confirms that this fraction exhibits potent antioxidant activity, as demonstrated through DPPH and FRAP assays. Furthermore, the plant displays notable antinociceptive activity, effectively reducing pain responses in various experimental models. These findings provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of the species in managing conditions characterized by inflammation and pain.
Compounds
Solanum lycocarpum is a medicinal plant from the Brazilian Cerrado that possesses a complex chemical profile consisting of various bioactive compounds. The fruit is a known source of several important steroidal alkaloids, specifically solamargine, solasonine, and solasodine. Scientific investigations have also identified the presence of the steroidal pseudoalkaloid oligoglycoside lobofrutoside within the plant. Additionally, the fruit contains starch, though research indicates this polysaccharide fraction does not exhibit hypoglycemic effects. Together, these diverse constituents support the plant's widespread use in traditional folk medicine for treating various inflammatory and medicinal conditions.
Conditions
Solanum lycocarpum exhibits significant therapeutic potential, including the ability to improve Alloxan-induced diabetes complications by reducing glycemia and protecting pancreatic islets. While its starch fraction does not show hypoglycemic effects, hydroalcoholic extracts of its leaves demonstrate effectiveness in regulating moderate glycemic levels. Regarding parasitic infections, the plant shows meaningful anti-leishmanial activity against L. (L.) major NADIM5 and L. (L.) donovani GEDII promastigotes. Additionally, it has demonstrated efficacy against the intracellular amastigotes of L. (L.) donovani BHU814. These combined findings suggest that Solanum lycocarpum holds promise for treating both metabolic complications and specific leishmaniasis strains.
Preparations
Solanum lycocarpum is processed in various ways for medicinal research, including being prepared as fruits to study their diverse therapeutic properties. Researchers have specifically utilized a dichloromethane fraction of the plant to investigate its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential. Other studies have evaluated a fruit glycoalkaloid extract (SL) to determine its antiproliferative activity against various tumor cell lines. Additionally, a methanolic extract of the fruits has been analyzed for its ability to inhibit increases in serum glucose levels. Finally, the species is often prepared as a general plant extract to assess its efficacy against pathogens like Leishmania.
Parts used
Solanum lycocarpum is a plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado that offers various medicinal components derived primarily from its fruit. Research has demonstrated that glycoalkaloid extracts from the fruit possess significant antiproliferative activity against several tumor cell lines, most notably HepG2. Additionally, dichloromethane fractions of the ripe fruit have shown promising antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, supporting its traditional use in folk medicine. While the fruit is frequently cited by patients as a treatment for diabetes, studies on its starch fraction have not provided evidence of a hypoglycemic effect. These diverse findings highlight the importance of the fruit as a source for further pharmacological investigation into its complex chemical constituents.