Bioactivity and Safety of Hydro-methanolic Lyophilised Solanum incanum

Abstract

Solanum incanum, a medicinal plant from the Solanaceae family, thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in arid environments. It has been widely used in traditional medicine, mainly for treating infections, inflammation, and wound healing. Despite its extensive use, there is limited scientific validation of its medicinal properties which therefore necessitates the exploration of its bioactivity and safety profile for modern therapeutic applications. This study investigated the pharmacological potential and safety of hydro-methanolic lyophilised S. incanum extract. Classical metabolomic test methods were used to determine the phytoconstituents of S. incanum, as well as its activity as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of key bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids and the hydro-methanolic extract yielded the highest phenolic content. Antioxidant evaluation using DPPH and FRAP assays demonstrated notable radical scavenging activity of 93.4% at 150 µg/mL comparable to ascorbic acid. The extract also displayed strong antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as antifungal activity. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory properties were assessed and confirmed using the egg albumin model. The anti inflammatory inhibition was 729±3.54 % at 8000 µg/ml comparable to 2000 µg/ml Diclofenac. Acute oral toxicity testing was done using OECD TG 425 (the up and down method) in Sprague Dawley rats. The results confirmed its safety as no mortality or adverse behavoural effects were observed at dosages up to 2000 mg/kg. The strong bioactivity observed in S. incanum due its high phenolic content supports its traditional use in wound care and healing. These findings suggest that S. incanum is a safe and effective natural medicine for wound management, warranting further investigation into its clinical applications.