Solanum lycocarpum
Wolf apple
Solanum lycocarpum, commonly known as wolf apple or lódão, is a medicinal shrub native to the Brazilian Cerrado. Renowned for its antioxidant properties, this plant is widely used in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to hypertension, offering significant therapeutic potential in modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Solanum lycocarpum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It further falls under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Solanales, specifically within the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Solanum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Solanum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Solanum lycocarpum, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In Portuguese, it is commonly referred to as either Guarambá or Fruta-de-lobo, while in Japanese, it is called ウルフアップル. In Chinese, the plant is known as 狼果, and in Esperanto, it is identified as Lupofrukto.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| eo | Lupofrukto | Wikidata |
| zh | 狼果 | Wikidata |
| ja | ウルフアップル | Wikidata |
| pt | Guarambá | Wikidata |
| pt | Fruta-de-lobo | Wikidata |
| eo | Agvaraofrukto | Wikidata |
| zh | 狼蘋果 | Wikidata |
| en | wolf apple | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions of Brazil. It can be found throughout the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast portions of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the southern reaches of Brazil. Beyond Brazilian borders, the species is also documented in Paraguay within Southern South America. Together, these locations highlight a wide range of habitats for the species across the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Paraguay | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as lobeira or wolf apple, is highly valued for its medicinal properties derived from various components. The most significant part used in traditional medicine is the fruit, which undergoes distinct changes in composition as it matures. The unripe fruits are often used in specific preparations, while the ripe fruits are widely consumed or processed due to their nutritional and therapeutic potential. Ultimately, whether utilizing the unripe fruits or the ripe fruits, the entire fruit serves as a vital resource in folk remedies.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| unripe fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ripe fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Solanum lycocarpum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include solamargine, solasonine, 12-hydroxysolasonine, lobofrutoside, myo-inositol.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| solamargine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| solasonine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 12-hydroxysolasonine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lobofrutoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myo-inositol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| solasodine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| starch | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Solanum lycocarpum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Solanum lycocarpum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, leishmaniasis, obesity.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |