# Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade Berries)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/solanum-nigrum
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-01
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Herb
**Also Known As:** Black nightshade, Garden nightshade, Petty morel, Wonder berry, Hounds berry, Popolo, Long Kui, European black nightshade, Common nightshade, Small-fruited black nightshade, Glossy nightshade, Sunberry

## Overview

Solanum nigrum, or black nightshade, contains steroidal alkaloids (solanine, solasonine) and glycoproteins that inhibit cancer cell proliferation by inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and suppressing angiogenesis. Preclinical research highlights its polysaccharides and alkaloids as primary bioactive drivers of anti-tumor and [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) activity.

## Health Benefits

[{"benefit": "May reduce tumor growth and metastasis.", "evidence_quality": "Evidence is preclinical. In a study on melanoma-bearing mice, a 1% oral aqueous extract reduced tumor mass by over 50% and suppressed lung metastasis.[1][3]"}, {"benefit": "May induce cancer cell death (apoptosis).", "evidence_quality": "Evidence is from in-vitro studies. Bioactive compounds like solamargine have been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines by modulating Bcl-2/Bax pathways.[1][3]"}, {"benefit": "May inhibit cancer cell invasion.", "evidence_quality": "Evidence is preclinical. The compound solasodine was found to inhibit the invasion and migration of colorectal cancer stem cells in both in-vitro and in-vivo models.[1]"}, {"benefit": "May enhance the effects of chemotherapy.", "evidence_quality": "Evidence is preclinical. S. nigrum demonstrated a synergistic effect, enhancing the tumor-inhibiting activity of the chemotherapy drug cisplatin in animal models.[1]"}, {"benefit": "May regulate gene expression related to cancer.", "evidence_quality": "Evidence is from in-vitro studies. Extracts have been shown to suppress oncogenic pathways like HOTAIR in non-small cell lung cancer and LIF/miR-192-5p/CYR61/Akt in hepatoma cells.[1]"}]

## Mechanism of Action

Steroidal alkaloids such as solanine and solasonine disrupt cancer cell membranes and activate the intrinsic apoptosis pathway by downregulating Bcl-2 and upregulating Bax, triggering cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. Solanum nigrum polysaccharides modulate immune response by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and [NK cell](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity, while also inhibiting VEGF-mediated tumor angiogenesis. [Hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) effects are attributed to flavonoids and phenolic acids that scavenge [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) and suppress NF-κB-driven [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) signaling in liver tissue.

## Clinical Summary

The majority of evidence for Solanum nigrum is preclinical, derived from in vitro cell line studies and rodent models. In one murine melanoma study, oral administration of a 1% aqueous extract reduced tumor mass by over 50% and significantly suppressed lung metastasis. Animal models using carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity have demonstrated measurable reductions in serum ALT and AST, suggesting liver-protective effects. No large-scale randomized controlled trials in humans have been published, making it premature to draw definitive clinical conclusions.

## Nutritional Profile

Black nightshade berries (Solanum nigrum) are consumed in some traditional food cultures but are primarily valued for their bioactive phytochemical content rather than macronutrient density. Per 100g of ripe berries (approximate values from available analyses): Water: ~80–85g; Energy: ~35–50 kcal; Protein: ~2–3g; Fat: ~0.5–1g; Carbohydrates: ~8–12g (including sugars and small amounts of dietary fiber ~1.5–2.5g). **Key Micronutrients:** Calcium: ~30–50mg/100g; Iron: ~1.0–1.5mg/100g; Phosphorus: ~35–50mg/100g; Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): ~15–30mg/100g (varies significantly with ripeness and growing conditions); modest amounts of B-vitamins (riboflavin, niacin). **Bioactive Compounds (primary pharmacological interest):** Steroidal glycoalkaloids — solasonine (~0.02–0.1% dry weight), solamargine (~0.01–0.08% dry weight), and solanine (present in unripe berries at higher concentrations, decreasing substantially upon ripening); Steroidal saponins — diosgenin and related aglycones (trace to ~0.05%); Polyphenols — gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin, and naringenin (total phenolic content reported at ~15–45 mg GAE/g dry extract depending on extraction method); Anthocyanins — primarily in ripe dark berries, contributing [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity (~5–20 mg/100g fresh weight); Riboflavin-binding proteins (unique lectins); Polysaccharides — water-soluble polysaccharides with reported [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity (yield ~2–5% of dry fruit weight). **Bioavailability Notes:** Glycoalkaloid bioavailability is moderate orally; they are partially hydrolyzed in the GI tract to their aglycone forms (solasodine, solanidine) which may be more readily absorbed. Toxicity risk from glycoalkaloids is significantly higher in unripe (green) berries — solanine/solasonine concentrations can be 3–5× higher than in fully ripe (black) berries. Polyphenol bioavailability is generally low (5–10% absorption) but may be enhanced by gut microbiota [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management). Vitamin C content supports iron absorption from the same source. Traditional preparation methods (cooking, boiling) substantially reduce glycoalkaloid content and associated toxicity risk.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges for Solanum nigrum have been established for humans, as clinical trials are scarce.[2] Preclinical studies used concentrations like a 1% aqueous extract in mice, but these do not have standardized human equivalents.[1][3] Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Unripe or raw black nightshade berries contain elevated levels of solanine, a toxic glycoalkaloid that can cause gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, and in high doses, neurological symptoms including dizziness and confusion. The plant is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to potential teratogenic and abortifacient effects documented in animal studies. Solanum nigrum may potentiate the effects of hepatotoxic drugs or interact with immunosuppressants given its immune-modulating properties, and concurrent use warrants medical supervision. Individuals with nightshade (Solanaceae) sensitivities or autoimmune conditions should avoid use without physician guidance.

## Scientific Research

The clinical evidence for Solanum nigrum is extremely limited, with no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses cited in available research.[2] One study involving a Solanum nigrum mixture in patients with advanced liver cancer was noted, but specific details regarding its design, sample size, or PubMed PMID were not provided.[2] The vast majority of evidence is preclinical, derived from in-vitro and animal models.[1][3]

## Historical & Cultural Context

Solanum nigrum has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other Oriental medicine systems for treating conditions like cancers, nephritis, sore throat, and skin ailments such as dermatitis and eczema.[2][6] It is traditionally used as an edible medicinal herb and is often combined with other botanicals like Hedyotis diffusa for therapeutic purposes.[1][2]

## Synergistic Combinations

Duchesnea indica, Hedyotis diffusa (traditional pairings)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is black nightshade poisonous to humans?

Unripe black nightshade berries contain solanine at concentrations that can cause toxicity, including vomiting, abdominal pain, and neurological symptoms. Ripe berries have significantly lower solanine levels, and in traditional medicine across South Asia and Africa they are consumed cooked without reported mass toxicity. However, individual tolerance varies and foraging errors with more toxic nightshade species (e.g., Atropa belladonna) pose a serious risk.

### What does the research say about black nightshade and cancer?

Preclinical studies show Solanum nigrum extracts can reduce tumor mass by over 50% in melanoma-bearing mice and induce apoptosis in cervical, liver, and colon cancer cell lines via caspase-3 activation and Bcl-2 downregulation. Glycoprotein fractions have also been shown to inhibit VEGF-driven angiogenesis in vitro. No human clinical trials have validated these findings, so it cannot be recommended as a cancer treatment.

### What is the active compound in Solanum nigrum?

The primary bioactive compounds are steroidal alkaloids—solanine, solasonine, and solamargine—along with polysaccharides and flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin. Solamargine has received particular attention for its ability to induce apoptosis and inhibit drug-resistance proteins (MDR1/P-glycoprotein) in cancer cells. Polysaccharide fractions are primarily responsible for the immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects.

### Can Solanum nigrum protect the liver?

In rodent models of chemically-induced hepatotoxicity (using carbon tetrachloride), Solanum nigrum aqueous extracts significantly lowered serum ALT and AST levels and reduced histological liver damage compared to controls. The mechanism involves antioxidant activity from phenolic compounds and suppression of NF-κB inflammatory signaling. These findings are promising but have not been confirmed in human clinical trials.

### What is the safe dosage of black nightshade extract?

No established safe or therapeutic dosage has been validated in human clinical trials for Solanum nigrum. Animal studies have used oral doses typically ranging from 50–400 mg/kg of aqueous or ethanolic extract, with the 1% oral aqueous extract protocol used in the murine tumor study. Because solanine toxicity thresholds vary between individuals and preparation methods dramatically affect alkaloid content, self-dosing is not advisable without medical supervision.

### Does black nightshade interact with common medications?

Black nightshade contains alkaloids that may affect drug metabolism through cytochrome P450 enzymes, potentially interacting with medications like warfarin, statins, and certain anticonvulsants. There is limited clinical data on specific drug interactions, so it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before combining Solanum nigrum supplements with prescription medications, particularly those with narrow therapeutic windows.

### Is black nightshade safe during pregnancy or for children?

Black nightshade is not recommended during pregnancy due to its alkaloid content and insufficient safety data in this population. For children, safety has not been established in clinical trials, and the high concentration of bioactive compounds makes dosing difficult to standardize; medical supervision is essential if considering use in pediatric populations.

### What form of black nightshade extract has the best bioavailability?

Aqueous extracts of black nightshade berries appear to have strong bioavailability for alkaloids like solamargine, as demonstrated in animal studies using oral aqueous preparations. Standardized extracts that specify alkaloid content (solamargine percentage) may provide more consistent absorption compared to whole berry powders, though direct human bioavailability comparisons are limited.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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