Solanum xanthocarpum

Solanum xanthocarpum (Kantakari / Yellow-berried nightshade) is not consumed as a food crop but is used as a medicinal plant, so conventional macronutrient profiling is limited. Key bioactive compounds and phytochemical constituents include: • Steroidal glycoalkaloids: Solasonine (~0.2–0.8% dry weight of fruit) and solamargine (~0.1–0.5%), which are the primary pharmacologically active constituents responsible for anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity. • Steroidal sapogenins: Diosgenin (~0.3–1.0% in dried berries) and solasodine (~0.5–1.2% dry weight of unripe fruits), precursors used in semi-synthetic steroid production. • Flavonoids: Apigenin, quercetin, and luteolin detected in aerial parts (collectively ~0.5–1.5 mg/g dry extract); these contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. • Alkaloids: Carpesterol and solanocarpine present in trace amounts in whole plant extracts. • Phenolic acids: Caffeic acid (~0.3–0.8 mg/g dry extract) and chlorogenic acid (~0.2–0.6 mg/g dry extract) contributing to total antioxidant capacity. • Coumarins: Scopoletin and esculin detected in root and stem extracts in small quantities (~0.05–0.2%). • Minerals (from whole fruit/plant ash analysis): Potassium (~1.2–1.8% dry weight), calcium (~0.8–1.4%), magnesium (~0.3–0.6%), iron (~150–300 ppm), and zinc (~30–60 ppm). • Crude fiber: ~18–25% in dried fruit material. • Crude protein: ~8–12% in dried fruit. • Fatty acids: Seeds contain approximately 15–20% fixed oil, with linoleic acid (~45–55% of total fatty acids), oleic acid (~20–28%), and palmitic acid (~12–18%). • Vitamin C: Trace amounts (~5–15 mg/100g fresh fruit), though highly variable. • Bioavailability notes: Solasonine and solamargine have relatively low oral bioavailability due to extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism and poor aqueous solubility; traditional preparations (decoctions, kwath) may partially improve extraction of water-soluble glycosides. Diosgenin bioavailability is enhanced by lipid co-administration. Flavonoid glycosides are hydrolyzed by gut microbiota to aglycones before absorption, resulting in variable inter-individual bioavailability (~5–20% for quercetin). The alkaloid content necessitates cautious dosing as excess intake may cause gastrointestinal irritation and toxicity.