Solanum melongena
Eggplant
Solanum melongena, commonly known as eggplant or aubergine, is a versatile perennial plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Beyond its culinary importance, it holds significant medicinal value in various traditional practices. Rich in bioactive compounds, it is frequently utilized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-diabetic properties.
- Scientific name: Solanum melongena
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement concludes within 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, known scientifically as Solanum melongena, is recognized by several different common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is referred to as an eggplant in Canada (en-ca), whereas in Great Britain (en-gb), it is called an aubergine. This same term, aubergine, is also used in French (fr), Norwegian (nb), and German (de), where it is written as Aubergine.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | aubergine | Wikidata |
| nb | aubergine | Wikidata |
| de | Aubergine | Wikidata |
| en-ca | eggplant | Wikidata |
| en-gb | aubergine | Wikidata |
| ab | абаклаџьан | Wikidata |
| ace | truëng | Wikidata |
| ang | Ǣȝƿyrt | Wikidata |
| ar | باذنجان | Wikidata |
| az | badımcan | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning multiple continents and climate zones. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the DR Congo. Its presence extends across the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the islands of Mauritius, Madagascar, and Réunion. Additionally, the species reaches into Central Asia, specifically located in Kazakhstan. This wide distribution highlights the adaptability of the species across various environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Saudi Arabia | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Solanum melongena, is a perennial herb that utilizes its specialized root system to anchor itself firmly in the soil and absorb essential nutrients and water. The roots of this species play a critical role in the plant's overall health and stability, supporting the development of its fleshy stems, broad leaves, and characteristic purple fruits. In various traditional medicinal practices, different parts of the root may be studied for their bioactive properties, emphasizing the importance of the underground root structure in the plant's biological lifecycle.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Solanum melongena has 35 reported phytochemicals identified across 37 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthocyanins, flavonoids, Calcium (Ca), Chlorogenic acid, Copper (Cu).
- Total chemicals
- 35
- Scientific sources
- 37
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthocyanins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Calcium (Ca) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Copper (Cu) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CuO | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| F | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Iron (Fe) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Kinetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MDA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Solanum melongena has 9 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antihyperglycemic.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypocholesterolemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Solanum melongena has 32 reported medicinal uses identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, infection, inflammation, Bacillus subtilis.
- Total uses
- 32
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infection | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hemorrhoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |