Solanum incanum L.: an updated review of botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology

Abstract Solanum incanum L. (Solanaceae) is a wild perennial shrub that is found throughout South and Southeast Asia including Afghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan as well as the Middle East and Northern Africa. Traditionally, it has been used to treatvarious ailments like sore throat, helminth,, skin problems, liver pain, painful menstruation, malaria, snake bite,, stomach problems, asthma, hypertension, diabetes,, etc.The current review has deeply explored with emphasis on botanical information, traditional uses, and phytochemistry of S. incanum L. along with reported biological activities. Major phytoconstituents and biological attributes of S. incanum have been thoroughly cited to justify use in traditional practices, providing scientists and researchers with comprehensive information for further research on this plant. Major bioactive constituents reported in this plant include Quercetin,, Solasodine, β-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Solamargine, Yamogenin. Based on reports, the plant exhibits numerous biological activities such as antipyretic, antidiabetic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimalarial, antihepatotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antiulcer, analgesic, nematicidal and spasmolytic activities in order to justify traditional claims. Though the pharmacological investigations have been done, the mechanism of action or biochemical pathways of several compounds need to be elucidated in depth in order to correlate the activity of a particular phytoconstituent with a desired target. Furthermore, the toxicity and safety profile of this plant and its reported bioactive constituents need to be explored further before clinical studies on humans. It is anticipated that the information compiled in this review will provide a detailed overview of the botany, taxonomy, traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacological insights of this plant for future researchers and it will help to find the new targets and the drug moieties. Graphical abstract