Pharmacognostic, Nutritional, Antioxidant, Anti-diarrheal and Vasoconstrictive Potential of Solanum melongena L. Leaf and Stem: In vitro and in silico Study

Background/Purpose

Eggplant is one of the top ten vegetables with antioxidant capacity, traditionally used to cure gastrointestinal, cardiac, diabetic, and neurotoxic conditions. The purpose of the research is to carry out the Pharmacognostic, antioxidant, antidiarrheal and vasoconstrictive potential of the leaf and stem of Solanum melongena L.

Materials and Methods

Pharmacognostic studies were carried out by organoleptic, physical, fluorescence and phytochemical analysis. Nutritional value was found by mineral analysis, and total phenolics and flavonoids were determined. Antioxidant potential was assessed using TAC, total reducing power, DPPH, H₂O₂ and FRAP methods. Isolated jejunum and aorta were used to determine antidiarrheal and vasoconstrictive potential, respectively, while network pharmacology and molecular docking were performed on important genes.

Results

Phytochemical investigation showed diverse constituents; mineral analysis showed the presence of Ca, K, Cu, Mg, Na, and Zn. Leaf and stem possess appreciable phenolics, flavonoids, and strong antioxidant potential. Isolated jejunum demonstrated a spasmogenic effect from the leaf and a spasmolytic effect from the stem, while both exhibited contractile activity on isolated aorta. Hub genes were identified, with the top 3 showing promising binding with compounds.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the leaf and stem of Solanum melongena L. possess considerable quantities of nutrients and diverse phytochemicals responsible for antidiarrheal and vasoconstrictive effects.