Abstract

FROM FARM TO PHARMACY – A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF EGGPLANT (SOLANUM MELONGENA)

Tejasvee Sujit Ubale*, Dhanshri Vikas Shinde, Payal Krishna Mhaskar, Naresh Devaram Choudhary, Yogita Sanjay Chaudhari and Shrutika Dipesh Patil

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Abstract

Solanum melongena L., or aubergine, is an herbaceous vegetable crop that is cultivated worldwide for food purposes. It has coarsely lobed leaves, white to purple flowers, and berries as its fruit. It is one of the best dietary sources of biologically active polyphenolic compounds, vitamins, antioxidants, and medicinal requirements. The genus Solanum comprises over 1,400 species, some of which, like S. dulcamara L., are toxic to humans. Eggplant is considered an Old- World crop, cultivated primarily in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Apart from its nutritional and agronomic benefits, aubergine has numerous other health benefits. Aubergine extracts have been shown in numerous trials to have excellent therapeutic qualities for a wide range of illnesses, including inflammatory infections, burns, gastritis, stomatitis, arthritis, and warts. Apart from generating a diverse array of secondary metabolites, aubergine is also rich in vitamins, glycol-alkaloids, and antioxidant compounds, all of which are critical for preserving overall health. Analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, antiplatelet, CNS depressive, and anaphylactic reaction inhibitory effects are all attributed to the plant. To determine Solanum melongena's real potential and determine whether it can be used clinically and profitably, more research must be done. An overview of the historical context, Classification, phytochemistry, Nutritional benefits and pharmacology are discussed in this review.

Keywords: Aubergine, Health benefits, Nutritional benefits, Solanum melongena.