Potato Berries as a Valuable Source of Compounds Potentially Applicable in Crop Protection and Pharmaceutical Sectors: A Review.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a major agricultural crop cultivated worldwide. To meet market demand, breeding programs focus on enhancing important agricultural traits such as disease resistance and improvement of tuber palatability. However, while potato tubers get a lot of attention from research, potato berries are mostly overlooked due to their level of toxicity and lack of usefulness for the food production sector. Generally, they remain unused in the production fields after harvesting the tuber. These berries are toxic due to high levels of glycoalkaloids, which might confer some interesting bioactivities. Berries of various solanaceous species contain bioactive secondary metabolites, suggesting that potato berries might contain similarly valuable metabolites. Therefore, possible applications of potato berries, e.g., in the protection of plants against pests and pathogens, as well as the medical exploitation of their anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antifungal properties, are plausible. The presence of valuable compounds in potato berries could also contribute to the bioeconomy by providing a novel use for otherwise discarded agricultural side streams. Here we review the potential use of these berries for the extraction of compounds that can be exploited to produce pharmaceuticals and plant protection products.

Effects of α­solanine on human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro.

α-solanine is a glycoalkaloid that is commonly found in nightshades (Solanum) and has a toxic effect on the human organism. Among other things, it is already known to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in tumor cell lines. Due to its potential as a tumor therapeutic, the current study investigated the effect of α-solanine on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In addition, genotoxic and antiangiogenic effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated at subtoxic α-solanine concentrations. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis rates were measured in two human HNSCC cell lines (FaDu pharynx carcinoma cells and CAL-33 tongue carcinoma cells), as well as in HUVECs. MTT and Annexin V analyses were performed 24 h after α-solanine treatment at increasing doses up to 30 µM to determine cytotoxic concentrations. Furthermore, genotoxicity at subtoxic concentrations of 1, 2, 4 and 6 µM in HUVECs was analyzed using single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The antiangiogenic effect on HUVECs was evaluated in the capillary tube formation assay. The MTT assay indicated an induction of concentration-dependent viability loss in FaDu and CAL-33 cancer cell lines, whereas the Annexin V test revealed α-solanine-induced cell death predominantly independent from apoptosis. In HUVECs, the cytotoxic effect occurred at lower concentrations. No genotoxicity or inhibition of angiogenesis were detected at subtoxic doses in HUVECs. In summary, α-solanine had a cytotoxic effect on both malignant and non-malignant cells, but this was only observed at higher concentrations in malignant cells. In contrast to existing data in the literature, tumor cell apoptosis was less evident than necrosis. The lack of genotoxicity and antiangiogenic effects in the subtoxic range in benign cells are promising, as this is favorable for potential therapeutic applications. In conclusion, however, the cytotoxicity in non-malignant cells remains a severe hindrance for the application of α-solanine as a therapeutic tumor agent in humans.

In silico analysis of the use of solanine derivatives as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain illness that causes cognitive impairment in the elderly, especially females, as a result of genetics, hormones, and life experiences. It becomes more severe with age and is associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Beta-amyloid plaques and hyper phosphorylated Tau protein buildup are common clinical findings. Misfiling of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Amyloid beta peptide (Aß) proteins contributes to Alzheimer's disease. Enzyme Acetylcholinesterase enzyme interacts with amyloid-beta, enhancing its accumulation in insoluble plaques, leading to successful treatment for Alzheimer's disease primarily based on lowering this enzyme. Treatments include using the Rivastigmine for mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimer's disease, which inhibits acetylcholinesterase, but may cause side effects; Solanine derivatives, nightshade toxin, it is cholinesterase inhibitory, may mitigate Alzheimer's illness is progressing. In this research utilized a molecular docking program, which is a computer's computational ability to determine the optimal position for a specific compound to bind to a protein or target, forming a target-ligand complex and displaying biological activity and aiding in the development of effective anti-AD treatments and understanding AD pathological mechanisms. The study examined complexes of 3LII (Acetylcholinesterase receptor) in the A and B chain with Solanine and Rivastigmine derivatives, using an in-silico approach. PyRx default sorter was used to improve docking accuracy. Four compounds were selected based on their higher binding affinities in chain A and B. The results showed that Solanine derivatives (alpha-Solanine, Beta1-Solanine and Beta2-Solanine) have higher binding strength (-9.0,-9.3 and -8.6) than Rivastigmine (-7.2) in chain A, and also the binding strength was high for the Solanine derivatives (alpha-Solanine, Beta1-Solanine, and Beta2-Solanine) (-9.0,-8.8 and -8.9) is higher than Rivastigmine (-6.0) in the chain B. Solanine derivatives showed higher binding strength with acetylcholinesterase, potentially for to reduce the progression of the disease.

α-Solanine attenuates chondrocyte pyroptosis to improve osteoarthritis via suppressing NF-κB pathway.

α-Solanine has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties; however, its efficacy in treating osteoarthritis (OA) remains ambiguous. The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of α-solanine on OA development in a mouse OA model. The OA mice were subjected to varying concentrations of α-solanine, and various assessments were implemented to assess OA progression. We found that α-solanine significantly reduced osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis and OARSI score. And it decreased proteoglycan loss and calcification in articular cartilage. Specifically, α-solanine inhibited extracellular matrix degradation by downregulating collagen 10, matrix metalloproteinase 3 and 13, and upregulating collagen 2. Importantly, α-solanine reversed chondrocyte pyroptosis phenotype in articular cartilage of OA mice by inhibiting the elevated expressions of Caspase-1, Gsdmd and IL-1ß, while also mitigating aberrant angiogenesis and sensory innervation in subchondral bone. Mechanistically, α-solanine notably hindered the early stages of OA progression by reducing I-κB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65, thereby inactivating NF-κB signalling. Our findings demonstrate the capability of α-solanine to disrupt chondrocyte pyroptosis and sensory innervation, thereby improving osteoarthritic pathological progress by inhibiting NF-κB signalling. These results suggest that α-solanine could serve as a promising therapeutic agent for OA treatment.

Solanine induces ferroptosis in colorectal cancer cells through ALOX12B/ADCY4 molecular axis.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Solanine is a phytochemical extracted from traditional Chinese medicine with widely reported anticancer effects. Here, we investigated the potential role of solanine in regulating ferroptosis in CRC cells and scrutinized the molecular mechanism. METHODS: Cell growth and cytotoxicity were examined using CCK-8 proliferation assay and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Subcellular changes in mitochondria were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Gene and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Protein-protein interaction was determined by co-immunoprecipitation. KEY FINDINGS: Solanine arrested cell proliferation in CRC cells and induced typical ferroptotic changes. Solanine treatment promoted ROS production, lipid peroxidation, and cell membrane disruption, while the cellular level of antioxidant GSH was reduced upon solanine treatment. ALOX12B was identified as a molecular mediator of solanine to promote ferroptosis. Solanine treatment upregulated ALOX12B levels and silencing ALOX12B could suppress solanine-induced ferroptosis. Further, ADCY4 was found to physically associate with ALOX12B and maintain ALOX12B protein stability. Silencing ADCY4 destabilized ALOX12B and attenuated solanine-induced ferroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated the ferroptosis-inducing effect of solanine in CRC cells, and revealed ALOX12B/ADCY4 molecular axis as the ferroptosis mediator of solanine. Solanine may synergize with existing ferroptosis inducer as an anticancer strategy in CRC, which warrants further validation in animal experiments.

Solanaceae Glycoalkaloids Disturb Lipid Metabolism in the Tenebrio molitor Beetle.

Glycoalkaloids (GAs) are produced naturally by plants and affect insect survivability and fertility. These compounds can be considered potential bioinsecticides; however, the mechanisms and effects of their action remain undiscovered. As lipids are essential molecules for the proper functioning of an insect organism, this research aimed to determine the effects of GAs on the lipid metabolism of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. Solanine, chaconine, tomatine, and tomato leaf extract were applied to larvae by injection at two concentrations, 10-8 and 10-5 M. Then, the tissue was isolated after 2 and 24 h to determine the levels of free fatty acids, sterols and esters using the GC-MS technique. Moreover, the triacylglyceride level and the activity of the key ß-oxidation enzyme, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADH), were measured. The results indicate that GAs affect the content and composition of lipid compounds in the beetles' haemolymph and fat body. The effects depend on the GA concentrations, incubation time, and kind of tissue. Moreover, the tested compounds decrease HADH activity, especially in the fat body, which may affect energy production. To our knowledge, this is the first study concerning lipid metabolism in T. molitor after GA application. Our results provide some insights into that topic.

Are Growth Performance and Fecal Score in Weaning Pigs Affected by the Inclusion Level of Potato Protein Concentrate and the Enclosed Glycoalkaloids in Iso-Nitrogenous Diets?

Glycoalkaloids (GA) are anti-nutritional factors in standard potato protein concentrate (PPC) fed to piglets. Increasing levels of standard PPC was expected to affect growth performance and fecal score negatively. Seven-hundred-and-twenty pigs (7-30 kg) were fed one of the following four diets within three feeding phases (days 0-13, 13-24, and 24-45): control (CTRL), PPC standard inclusion (PPC-S; 4%, 2%, and 0%), high PPC inclusion (PPC-H; 8%, 3.5%, and 2%), and extremely high PPC inclusion (PPC-EH; 12%, 5%, and 3.5%). During days 0-13, CTRL displayed no difference in growth performance compared with the three experimental groups (PPC-S, PPC-H, and PPC-EH). During days 13-24, PPC-H achieved greater (p < 0.001) average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to CTRL. During days 24-45, no differences between groups were observed. For the overall experimental period (0-45 days), PPC-H displayed greater average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.010) and ADFI (p = 0.024) compared to CTRL. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained unaffected between the groups for all experimental periods. Increasing levels of PPC and hence GA did not affect the probability of diarrhea. In conclusion, increased standard PPC and hence increased levels of GA in isonitrogenous diets did not negatively affect growth performance nor fecal score in piglets (7-30 kg).

Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identify external conditions and key genes underlying high levels of toxic glycoalkaloids in tubers of stress-sensitive potato cultivars.

Introduction: High levels of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in potato tubers constitute a recognized food quality problem. Tuber SGA levels vary between potato cultivars and can increase after post-harvest stresses such as wounding and light exposure. A few cultivars, e.g., 'Magnum Bonum' and 'Lenape,' have been withdrawn from commercial sales due to excessive SGA levels during some cultivation years. However, these sudden SGA increases are diffucult to predict, and their causes are not understood. To identify external and genetic factors that underlie sudden SGA increases in certain potato cultivars, we have here in a 2-year study investigated 'Magnum Bonum' and five additional table potato cultivars for their SGA levels after wounding and light exposure. Results and methods: Results showed that 'Magnum Bonum' has an unusual strong SGA response to light exposure, but not to wounding, whereas 'Bintje' displayed an opposite regulation. Levels of calystegine alkaloids were not significantly altered by treatments, implicating independent metabolic regulation of SGA and calystegine levels also under conditions of high SGA accumulation. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identified a small number of key genes whose expression correlated with SGA differences between cultivars. Overexpression of two key genes in transgenic low-SGA potato cultivars increased their leaf SGA levels significantly. Discussion: The results show that a strong response to light can underlie the SGA peaks that occasionally occur in certain potato cultivars and indicate that a between-cultivar variation in the expression of single SGA key genes can account for cultivar SGA differerences. We propose that current attempts to mitigate the SGA hazard will benefit from an increased consideration of cultivar-dependent SGA responses to post-harvest conditions, particularly light exposure. The identified key SGA genes can now be used as a molecular tool in this work.

Network pharmacology-based strategy to investigate the effect and mechanism of α-solanine against glioma.

BACKGROUND: An anti-tumour activity has been demonstrated for α-solanine, a bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Solanum nigrum L. However, its efficacy in the treatment of gliomas and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of α-solanine on glioma and elucidate its mechanisms and targets using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular biology experiments. METHODS: Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) was utilized to predict the potential targets of α-solanine. GeneCards was used to gather glioma-related targets, and the STRING online database was used to analyze protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks for the shared targets. Hub genes were identified from the resulting PPI network and further investigated using Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Additionally, prognostic and gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were carried out to identify potential therapeutic targets and their underlying mechanisms of action in relation to the prognosis of gliomas. In vitro experiments were conducted to verify the findings from the network pharmacology analysis. RESULTS: A total of 289 α-solanine targets and 1149 glioma-related targets were screened, of which 78 were common targets. 11 hub genes were obtained, including SRC, HRAS, HSP90AA1, IGF1, MAPK1, MAPK14, KDR, STAT1, JAK2, MAP2K1, and IGF1R. The GO and KEGG pathway analyses unveiled that α-solanine was strongly associated with several signaling pathways, including positive regulation of MAP kinase activity and PI3K-Akt. Moreover, α-solanine (10 µM and 15 µM) inhibited the proliferation and migration but promoted the apoptosis of glioma cells. Finally, STAT1 was identified as a potential mediator of the effect of α-solanine on glioma prognosis. CONCLUSION: α-Solanine can inhibit the proliferation and migration of gliomas by regulating multiple targets and signalling pathways. These findings lay the foundation for the creation of innovative clinical anti-glioma agents.

Role of Chitosan-Loaded Solanine Glycoalkaloid from Solanum scabrum Mill. Leaf Extract as Anti-Inflammatory and In Vitro Anticancer Agents.

Objectives: Solanum scabrum Mill. commonly "African nightshade" or "huckleberry" is a plant, whose leaves are used by tribes in Nigeria and Cameroon for making the popular "Kombi" and "Njama Njama" soups, respectively. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the leaf crude methanol extract from S. scabrum. Materials and Methods: Fractions of the plant were tested for anti-inflammatory potential and in vitro anticancer activity on MCF-7 and HMVII cell lines by carrageenan-induced oedema in mice, and cytotoxicity assays such as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, transwell migration and invasion assays, and apoptosis study by flow cytometry, respectively. Results: Bioguided isolation yielded a white crystalline compound 3-nitro dibenzofuran (C12H7NO3, m/z; 213.19 g/mol, m.p.; 181.49 °C). 1H-NMR showed seven signals at δ (ppm) 2.8-4.3 consisting of two doublets and five singlets, while 13C-NMR revealed twelve carbons, which are majorly methyl carbons at δ (ppm) between 120 and 195. All tested samples demonstrated dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced mice. The isolated compound, i.e. solanine, and chitosan-loaded drugs showed significant inhibitory activity on the cell lines with inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values of 8.52, 0.82, and 22.1 µg/mL, respectively on MCF-7 cell line and 4.54, 0.08, and 12.1 µg/mL, respectively, on HMVII cell line, while doxorubicin (adriamycin) positive control, had IC50 values of 0.02 and 0.06 µg/mL, respectively, on MCF-7 and HMVII cancer cells. Selectivity index of solanine was the lowest in the study, hence, it lacks the ability to differentiate between cancerous and normal cell Vero E6 cell lines. Chitosan-loaded drugs quicken early apoptosis and sustained late apoptosis in cells with much improved selective indices. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study further affirmed the use of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for anticancer drugs.

Antioxidants Amelioration Is Insufficient to Prevent Acrylamide and Alpha-Solanine Synergistic Toxicity in BEAS-2B Cells.

Cells produce free radicals and antioxidants when exposed to toxic compounds during cellular metabolism. However, free radicals are deleterious to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Antioxidants neutralize and eliminate free radicals from cells, preventing cell damage. Therefore, the study aims to determine whether the antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) will ameliorate the maximum dose of acrylamide and alpha (α)-solanine synergistic toxic effects in exposed BEAS-2B cells. These toxic compounds are consumed worldwide by eating potato products. BEAS-2B cells were simultaneously treated with BHA 10 µM and BHT 20 µM and incubated in a 5% CO2 humidified incubator for 24 h, followed by individual or combined treatment with acrylamide (3.5 mM) and α-solanine (44 mM) for 48 h, including the controls. Cell morphology, DNA, RNA, and protein were analyzed. The antioxidants did not prevent acrylamide and α-solanine synergistic effects in exposed BEAS-2B cells. However, cell morphology was altered; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed reduced RNA constituents but not DNA. In addition, the toxic compounds synergistically inhibited AKT/PKB expression and its downstream genes. The study showed BHA and BHT are not protective against the synergetic toxic effects of acrylamide and α-solanine in exposed BEAS-2B cells.

Development of New Antibodies and an ELISA System to Detect the Potato Alkaloids α-Solanine and α-Chaconine.

Food poisoning can be caused by the potato alkaloids α-solanine (SO) and α-chaconine (CHA). Therefore, this study aimed to establish new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detecting these two toxins in biological samples and potato extracts. Two antibodies that bind to solanidine, a chemical compound found in both SO and CHA, were newly developed, and two types of ELISAs (Sold1 ELISA and Sold2 ELISA) were constructed. We measured SO and CHA diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), serum, and urine. The detection performance of the two ELISAs for SO and CHA in PBS was higher than in serum and urine, and the sensitivity of Sold2 ELISA was lower than that of Sold1 ELISA. Thus, we used these ELISAs to measure SO and CHA in potato part extracts and found that potato sprouts contained approximately 80-fold more SO and CHA than tubers and 8-fold more SO and CHA than peels. Although the detection sensitivity of SO and CHA depends on the sample types, these ELISAs may be effective as future clinical and food testing methods after further improvements.

Increase of Glycoalkaloid Content in Potato Tubers by Greening as a Method to Reduce the Spread of Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp. in Seed Production Systems.

Dickeya and Pectobacterium species are the causal agents of blackleg and soft rot diseases. This article explores the possibility of using the glycoalkaloids (GAs) naturally produced by the potato tuber after the greening process as a blackleg control method. We first tested the effect of GAs extracted from four potato cultivars on the growth and viability of one Dickeya and one Pectobacterium strain in growth media. Then, four years of field experiments were performed in which the incidence of blackleg was assessed in plants grown from the seed tubers of cv. Agria that were subjected to various greening treatments. In the growth media, all GAs isolated from the four cultivars appeared to be bacteriostatic and bactericidal against both bacteria strains. The inhibitory effect varied among GAs from different cultivars. Except for a one-year field trial, the blackleg incidence was lower in plants grown from green seed tubers without the yield being affected. The blackleg control was marginal, probably due to the low production of GAs by the tubers of cv. Agria after greening. Based on our findings, seed tuber greening has a good potential for blackleg control after the identification of varieties that present optimal GA composition after greening.

Alpha-solanine inhibits endothelial inflammation via nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-solanine (α-solanine) is the main glycoalkaloid in potato plants. It possesses anticarcinogenic properties and exerts toxic effects. Alpha-solanine can regulate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in cancer cells and macrophages. However, little is known about the anti-inflammatory effects and the related molecular mechanisms of α-solanine on endothelial cells. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the effects of α-solanine on endothelial inflammation in vitro, and to evaluate its influence on regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid vector was constructed and transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of TNF-α was examined with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Following treatment with α-solanine or the specific NF-κB inhibitor SN50 for 24 h, cell viability was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and TNF-α levels in cell supernatant were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative protein levels of phospho-P65 (p-P65), phospho-inhibitor of NF-κBα (p-IκBα) and IκB kinase (IKK) α/ß were examined with western blot. RESULTS: The α-solanine inhibits TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury in HUVECs. Compared with control cells, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, and the relative protein levels of p-P65, p-IκBα and IKKα/ß were significantly upregulated in TNF-α-overexpressed cells. The treatment with α-solanine or SN50 decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and downregulated the relative protein levels of p-P65, p-IκBα and IKKα/ß in TNF-α-overexpressed HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated for the first time that α-solanine inhibits endothelial inflammation through the NF-κB signaling pathway. The α-solanine was suggested to be an inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway in endothelial cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of α-solanine may provide a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of phlebitis.

Potential of Alpha-(α)-Solanine as a Natural Inhibitor of Fungus Causing Leaf Spot Disease in Strawberry.

Curvularia trifolii is an important pathogenic fungus that causes leaf spot disease in strawberry and other crops. Increased resistance in pathogenic fungi against chemical fungicides necessitates the search for biological alternatives to control plant fungal diseases. The present study aimed to perform transcriptome and metabolome analysis of C. trifolii fungi. We evaluated the potential of an alkaloid, namely alpha (α)-solanine, to inhibit the growth of Curvularia under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of treated C. trifolii was performed to identify the differential genes and metabolites. Results revealed that treatment with α-solanine resulted in the poor growth and development of fungal spores. The transcriptome analysis revealed that 1413 genes were differentially expressed (DEGs), among which 340 unigenes were up-regulated, 100 unigenes were down-regulated, and the rest were unaffected in treated samples. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the majority of the genes were related to oxidative stress in the fungus. Additionally, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 455 metabolites, among which the majority of metabolites were related to lipid biosynthesis. The high number of genes related to lipid biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species revealed that α-solanine causes oxidative stress in Curvularia, leading to growth inhibition, and can be potentially used as an alternative to chemical fungicides.

Solanine Represses Gastric Cancer Growth by Mediating Autophagy Through AAMDC/MYC/ATF4/Sesn2 Signaling Pathway.

Purpose: Solanine is the main component of the plant Solanum, which has been shown to provide growth-limiting activities in a variety of human cancers. However, little is known about its function in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: We investigated the effect of solanine on GC in vivo and in vitro. The inhibition rate of solanine on the tumor was observed by constructing a subcutaneous tumor in nude mice. Morphological changes were analyzed with H&E staining. The expression of ATF4 was detected by IF analysis. MTT assays, EdU staining, and colony formation assays were used to detect the inhibition rate of solanine on GC cells. Matrigel transwells were used to detect the invasion of GC cells. Cell migration was measured using the wound healing assay. The flow cytometric analysis was used to monitor changes in the cell cycle and cell apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect major proteins in cells and tumors. Results: Solanine suppressed gastric tumorigenesis. Solanine also inhibited the proliferation, invasion and mitigation of GC cells, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, the growth-limiting activities of solanine in gastric cancer were related to the suppression of the AAMDC/MYC/ATF4/Sesn2 pathway-mediated autophagy. Overexpression of AAMDC reversed the inhibitory effect of solanine on autophagy and gastric cancer. Conclusion: In summary, our findings indicate that solanine confers growth-limiting activities by deactivating the AAMDC-regulated autophagy in gastric cancer.

Active components of Solanum nigrum and their antitumor effects: a literature review.

Cancer poses a serious threat to human health and overall well-being. Conventional cancer treatments predominantly encompass surgical procedures and radiotherapy. Nevertheless, the substantial side effects and the emergence of drug resistance in patients significantly diminish their quality of life and overall prognosis. There is an acute need for innovative, efficient therapeutic agents to address these challenges. Plant-based herbal medicines and their derived compounds offer promising potential for cancer research and treatment due to their numerous advantages. Solanum nigrum (S. nigrum), a traditional Chinese medicine, finds extensive use in clinical settings. The steroidal compounds within S. nigrum, particularly steroidal alkaloids, exhibit robust antitumor properties either independently or when combined with other drugs. Many researchers have delved into unraveling the antitumor mechanisms of the active components present in S. nigrum, yielding notable progress. This literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of the research advancements concerning the active constituents of S. nigrum. Furthermore, it outlines the action mechanisms of select monomeric anticancer ingredients. Overall, the insights derived from this review offer a new perspective on the development of clinical anticancer drugs.

A challenging case of suspected solanine toxicity in an eleven-year-old Saudi boy.

Potatoes are commonly consumed food item that contributes key nutrients to the diet including vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Despite their nutritional value, potato tuber may harm human health by virtue of their toxic glycoalkaloids (solanine). Acute solanine poisoning can happen from ingesting green or sprouted potatoes. The toxicity of Gas in humans causes mainly gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. However, at higher doses, the toxicity of Gas in humans produces more severe symptoms, including fever, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, rapid respiration, and neurological disorders. Though potatoes are widely consumed, their toxicity is relatively rare. We came across a suspected case of poisoning by raw potato ingestion in an 11 years old Saudi boy who suffered cardiovascular complications, and was managed conservatively in pediatric ICU. The diagnosis was made based on history and clinical presentation. The patient recovered completely and was discharged with counseling.

Glycoalkaloids of Plants in the Family Solanaceae (Nightshade) as Potential Drugs.

Worldwide interest in medicinal plants and related drugs is growing because of the increased spectrum of new synthetic drugs. In this context, secondary plant metabolites are most significant. This review analyzes data on the structures and biosyntheses of metabolites such as glycoalkaloids; methods for their extraction from plants of the family Solanaceae, particularly potato S. tuberosum; their qualitative and quantitative analysis; biological activity; and toxicity. This information could be useful in the selection of methods for sample preparation and extraction of glycoalkaloids during the search for new plant sources with prospects of creating effective and safe pharmacological agents.

A multifunctional enzyme portfolio for α-chaconine and α-solanine degradation in the Phthorimaea operculella gut bacterium Glutamicibacter halophytocola S2 encoded in a trisaccharide utilization locus.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are secondary metabolites commonly found in members of the family Solanaceae, including potatoes, and are toxic to pests and humans. The predominant SGAs in potato are α-chaconine and α-solanine. We previously reported that Glutamicibacter halophytocola S2, a gut bacterium of the pest Phthorimaea operculella (potato tuber moth), can degrade α-chaconine and α-solanine in potatoes, which can improve the fitness of P. operculella to feed on potatoes with a high content of toxic SGAs. Glutamicibacter halophytocola S2 harbored a gene cluster containing three deglycosylase genes-GE000599, GE000600, and GE000601-that were predicted encode α-rhamnosidase (RhaA), ß-glucosidase (GluA), and ß-galactosidase (GalA). However, there is limited information is available on the enzyme activities of the three enzymes expressed by this gene cluster and how they degrade the major toxic α-chaconine and α-solanine. In the current study, each enzyme of this gene cluster was produced by a prokaryotic expression approach and the activity of the recombinant enzymes for their target substrate and α-chaconine and α-solanine were evaluated by EPOCH microplate spectrophotometer and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The three enzymes had multifunctional activities, with RhaA and GluA could hydrolyze α-rhamnose, ß-glucose, and ß-galactose, while GalA can hydrolyze ß-glucose and ß-galactose. The degradation of α-chaconine and α-solanine was consistent with the results of the enzyme activity assays. The final product solanidine could be generated by adding RhaA or GluA alone. In conclusion, this study characterized the multifunctional activity and specific degradation pathway of these three enzymes in G. halophytocola S2. The three multifunctional enzymes have high glycosidic hydrolysis activity and clear gene sequence information, which help facilitates understanding the detoxification mechanism of insect gut microbes. The enzymes have a broad application potential and may be valuable in the removal of toxic SGAs from for potato food consumption.