Lycocarpum Fruits Research Articles

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, and chemical characterization of the dichloromethane fraction of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) ripe fruits by LC-DAD-MS

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSolanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado, exhibiting several medicinal properties, being used by the population in the treatment of ulcers, bronchitis, asthma and hepatitis, which involve inflammatory processes. Aim of this studyThis study aimed to chemically characterize the dichloromethane fraction (DCM), as well as verify its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. Materials and methodsThe DCM fraction was obtained by partitioning the ethanol extract. The chemical constituents of the DCM fraction were characterized by LC-DAD-MS. The DPPH and FRAP assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was used to assess the anti-inflammatory effects, and the inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative histological analyses. The antinociceptive action of the DCM fraction was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, formalin-induced nociception and hot-plate test. ResultsSteroidal alkaloids solasonine, solasodine and solamargine, as well as the alkaloid peiminine/imperialine and caffeoylquinic acids, were annotated in DCM fraction by LC-DAD-MS. The DCM fraction showed antioxidative action in the in vitro DPPH and FRAP tests, as well as an anti-inflammatory effect for the three evaluated doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg in the fourth and sixth hours after the administration of carrageenan. The histological analyses evidenced considerably reduction in leukocyte migration and the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The study also demonstrated antinociceptive activity for the DCM fraction, which reduced abdominal writhing at three concentrations evaluated, as well as a decrease in paw licking in the formalin-induced nociception test both in the neurogenic phase and the inflammatory phase, with greater effectiveness compared to the anti-inflammatory indomethacin. The DCM fraction also increased the latency time of the animals in the hot plate test 60 min after treatment, although it did not seem to involve the opioidergic system. ConclusionThis work evidenced that the dichloromethane fraction of S. lycocarpum fruit possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, which supports its use in folk medicine for management inflammatory conditions.

Targeted uptake of folic acid-functionalized polymeric nanoparticles loading glycoalkaloidic extract in vitro and in vivo assays

Solanum lycocarpum fruits contain two major glycoalkaloids (GAs), solamargine (SM) and solasonine (SS). These compounds are reported as cytotoxic. However, they have poor water solubility and low bioavailability. To overcome these disadvantages and getting an efficient formulation the current study aimed to develop, characterize, and test the effectiveness of a nanotechnology-based strategy using poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) nanoparticles functionalized with folate as delivery system of glycoalkaloidic extract (AE) for bladder cancer therapy. The strategic of adding folic acid into nanoformulations can increase the selectivity of the compounds to the cancer cells reducing the side effects. Our results revealed the successful preparation of AE-loaded folate-targeted nanoparticles (NP-F-AE) with particle size around 177 nm, negative zeta potential, polydispersity index <0.20, and higher efficiency of encapsulation for both GAs present in the extract (>85 %). To investigate the cellular uptake, the fluorescent dye coumarin-6 was encapsulated into the nanoparticle (NP-F-C6). The cell studies showed high uptake of nanoparticles by breast (MDA-MB-231) and bladder (RT4) cancer cells, but not for normal keratinocytes cells (HaCaT) indicating the target uptake to cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was evaluated on RT4 2D culture model showing 2.16-fold lower IC50 than the free AE. Furthermore, the IC50 increased on the RT4 spheroids compared to 2D model. The nanoparticles penetrated homogeneously into the urotheliumof porcine bladder. These results showed that folate-conjugated polymeric nanoparticles are potential carriers for targeted glycoalkaloidic extract delivery to bladder cancer cells.

Bioethanol production from Solanum lycocarpum starch: A sustainable non-food energy source for biofuels

In this study the starch from Solanum lycocarpum fruit was used for bioethanol production. S. lycocarpum starch was hydrolyzed in a serial reactor containing α-amylase and glucoamylase immobilized onto glutaraldehyde-derivative polyaniline, producing 91.6% of glucose for a 10% starch suspension and 86.3% of glucose for a 20% starch suspension after 60 min of reaction. Fermentation parameters for bioethanol production were evaluated by using a full factorial design (32) with fermentation time (h) and concentration of glucose equivalent (%) as independent variables. Results from factorial design showed that the highest ethanol production was found when 1% of glucose equivalent was fermented by 48 h. At these conditions the bioethanol conversion efficiency reached 92.13% and it was estimated a productivity of 596.96 L tonne−1. It can be concluded that the starch from S. lycocarpum fruit is a promising non-food and renewable energy source for bioethanol production.

IN VITRO Anticancer Activity and Physicochemical Properties of SOLANUM LYCOCARPUM Alkaloidic Extract Loaded in Natural Lipid-Based Nanoparticles

Bladder cancer (BC) is the 9th most common cancer in the worldwide. BC's treatment is still a challenging goal. Thereby, the screening of natural compounds as solasonine (SS) and solamargine (SM) that exhibit antitumor activity is interesting to BC therapy. This work aimed to develop natural lipid-based nanoparticles (NLN) as carrier system of S. lycocarpum's fruits alkaloidic extract (AE), rich in SS and SM, and to evaluate its antitumor activity in bladder cancer cells. The NLN-AE exhibited 56 nm of diameter, low polydispersity index with shelf life estimated of 12 months, measured by LUMiSizer®. NLN-AE showed low recrystallization index with high encapsulation efficiency of SS (86%) and SM (89%). A sustained release profile was verified after 36 h. The free AE exhibited antitumor activity in bladder cancer cells. The cell viability decreased 5.4 fold when AE was encapsulated in NLN. Thus, NLN-AE has higher anti-proliferative activity than the free AE.

CHARACTERISATION OF VOLATILE AND SEMI-VOLATILE COMPOUNDS OF OILS FROM Solanum lycocarpum FRUITS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY

Oils were obtained from unripe and ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum. In this study, the volatile and semi-volatile compounds of oils were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Oil of unripe fruits (OUF) of S. lycocarpum exhibited principally fatty acids, esters, hydrocarbons and sterols. However, oil of ripe fruits (ORF) presented the major compounds esters and sterols. In OUF-7, the predominant compound was octadecanoic acid (73.37%), in ORF-2, octadecanoic acid octadecyl ester (59.30%) and in ORF-3, hexadecanoic acid hexadecyl ester (97.98%). Sitosterol, identified in OUF-2 and OUF-6, is predominant sterol found in various species of Solanum can have chemotaxonomy importance for this genus. This is the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that volatile and semi-volatile compounds of oils from S. lycocarpum fruits have been characterized.

In vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity assessment of Solanum lycocarpum hydroalcoholic extract

Context: Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. (Solanaceae), popularly known as ‘fruta-do-lobo’ (wolf fruit), ‘lobeira’ and ‘jurubebão’, is commonly used by native people of Central Brazil in powder form or as a hydroalcoholic extract for the management of diabetes and obesity and to decrease cholesterol levels. Objective: The present study determines the possible cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of hydroalcoholic extract of the S. lycocarpum fruits (SL).Materials and methods: The clonogenic efficiency assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity. Three concentrations of SL (16, 32 and 64 μg/mL) were used for the evaluation of its genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential on V79 cells using the micronucleus and comet assays. In the antigenotoxicity assays, the cells were treated simultaneously with SL and the alkylating agent methyl methanesulphonate (MMS, 44 μg/mL for the micronucleus assay and 22 μg/mL for the comet assay) as an inducer of micronuclei and DNA damage.Results: The results showed that SL was cytotoxic at concentrations up to 64 μg/mL. No significant differences in the rate of chromosome or DNA damage were observed between cultures treated with SL and the control group. In addition, the frequencies of micronuclei and DNA damage induced by MMS were significantly reduced after treatment with SL. The damage reduction percentage ranged from 68.1% to 79.2% and 12.1% to 16.5% for micronucleus and comet assays, respectively.Discussion and conclusion: SL exerted no genotoxic effect and exhibited chemopreventive activity against both genomic and chromosome damage induced by MMS.

Larvicidal activity of oils, fatty acids, and methyl esters from ripe and unripe fruit of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) against the vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

The larvicidal activity of oils, fatty acids, and methyl esters of Solanum lycocarpum fruit against Culex quinquefasciatus is unknown. The larvicidal activity of samples of ripe and unripe fruit from S. lycocarpum was evaluated against third and fourth instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus . The oils, fatty acids, and methyl esters of S. lycocarpum showed the greatest larvicidal effect (57.1-95.0%) at a concentration of 100mg/L (LC 50values between 0.70 and 27.54mg/L). Solanum lycocarpum fruit may be a good source of new natural products with larvicidal activity.

Larvicidal activity of the methanol extract and fractions of the green fruits of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) against the vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

The larvicidal activity of Solanum lycocarpum against Culex quinquefasciatus is unknown. We evaluated the larvicidal activity of extracts of the green fruits of Solanum lycocarpum against third and fourth instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions showed the greatest larvicidal effect at 200mg/L (83.3% and 86.7%, respectively). The methanol and dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and hydromethanolic fractions demonstrated larvicidal effects against C. quinquefasciatus, with LC50 values of 126.24, 75.13, 83.15, and 207.05 mg/L, respectively. Thus, when considering new drugs with larvicidal activity from natural products, S. lycocarpum fruits may be good candidate sources.

In vitro trypanocidal activity of solamargine and extracts from Solanum palinacanthum and Solanum lycocarpum of brazilian cerrado

The present investigation was to evaluate the potential trypanocidal activity of crude ethanolic extract of the fruits of Solanum palinacanthum, Solanum lycocarpum and the glycoalcaloid, solamargine. S. palinacanthum and S. lycocarpum fruit powders were submitted to exhaustively extraction with 96% ethanol and solamargine were isolated from the extract of S. palinacanthum. Both extracts and solamargine were analysed for trypanocidal activity by using MTT colorimetric assay. Extracts of S. palinacanthum showed to be more active (IC50 = 175.9 µg.ml-1) than S. lycocarpum (IC50 = 194.7 µg.ml-1). Solamargine presented a strong activity (IC50 = 15.3 µg.ml-1), which can explain the better activity of the both extracts. Benznidazol (IC50 = 9.0 µg.ml-1) is the only drug used to treat Chagas' disease. These findings demonstrate for the first time that ethanol extracts obtained from both fruits of S. palinacanthum and S. lycocarpum and also solamargine have a potential anti-trypanosomal activity.

Extraction and chemical characterization of starch from S. lycocarpum fruits

In this study the pulp from Solanum lycocarpum fruits was used as raw material for extraction of starch, resulting in a yield of 51%. The starch granules were heterogeneous in size, presenting a conical appearance, very similar to a high-amylose cassava starch. The elemental analysis (CHNS) revealed 64.33% carbon, 7.16% hydrogen and 0.80% nitrogen. FT-IR spectroscopy showed characteristic peaks of polysaccharides and NMR analysis confirmed the presence of the α-anomer of d-glucose. The S. lycocarpum starch was characterized by high value of intrinsic viscosity (3515mPas) and estimated molecular weight around 645.69kDa. Furthermore, this starch was classified as a B-type and high amylose content starch, presenting 34.66% of amylose and 38% crystallinity. Endothermic transition temperatures (To=61.25°C, Tp=64.5°C, Tc=67.5°C), gelatinization temperature (ΔT=6.3°C) ranges and enthalpy changes (ΔH=13.21Jg−1) were accessed by DCS analysis. These results make the S. lycocarpum fruit a very promising source of starch for biotechnological applications.

Immunomodulatory effect of the alkaloidic extract of Solanum lycocarpum fruits in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease caused by trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma; it accounts for more than 280,000 deaths annually. In this work we investigated the effect of the alkaloidic extract obtained by acid-base extraction of the dried fruits of Solanum lycocarpum on schistosomiasis. We used this extract at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg to treat mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni in different phases of the parasite cycle, and we compared its effect with that of the positive control praziquantel (60 mg/kg). We evaluated the results on the basis of the number of macrophages, eggs, and granulomas; we also assessed nitric oxide (NO) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production. Animals treated with a daily dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg alkaloidic extract between the 37th and 41st day of infection showed increased number of macrophages, elevated NO and IFN-γ concentrations, and reduced number of eggs and granulomas in the liver. The alkaloidic extract of S. lycocarpum fruits displayed an immunomodulatory effect on mice infected with S. mansoni, so its potential to treat schistosomiasis deserves further studies.

Evaluation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Solanum lycocarpum fruits glicoalkaloid extract in V79 cells

Solanum lycocarpum St.-Hil (Solanaceae) is a hairy shrub or small much-branched tree of the Brazilian Cerrado, popularly known as “fruit-of-wolf”. Considering that the induction of chromosomal mutations is involved in the process of carcinogenesis, and that S. lycocarpum is often used in folk medicine, it becomes relevant to study its effect on genetic material. In this sense, the aim of present study was to determine the possible cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic potentials of S. lycocarpum fruits glycoalkaloid extract (SL) in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the colony forming assay, apoptosis and necrosis assay, Trypan blue exclusion dye method and mitotic index. Genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential were evaluated by comet and chromosomal aberrations assays. Four concentrations of SL (4, 8, 16 and 32μg/mL) were used for the evaluation of its genotoxic potential. The DNA damage-inducing agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS, 22μg/mL) was utilized in combination with extract to evaluate a possible protective effect. The results showed that SL was cytotoxic at concentrations above 32μg/mL by the colony forming assay. For apoptosis and necrosis assay, the concentration of 64μg/mL of SL showed statistically significant increase in cell death by apoptosis and necrosis, while the concentrations of 128 and 256μg/mL of SL demonstrated statistically significant increase in cell death by necrosis, compared with the control group. Analysis of cell viability by Trypan blue exclusion indicated >96% viability for treatments with concentrations up to 32μg/mL of SL. No significant differences in MI were observed between cultures treated with different concentrations of SL (4, 8, 16 and 32μg/mL) alone or in combination with MMS and the negative control, indicating that these treatments were not cytotoxic. The comet and chromosomal aberrations assays revealed that SL does not display genotoxic activity. Moreover, the different concentrations of SL showed protective effect against both genomic and chromosomal damages induced by MMS.

Anticarcinogenic potential of Solanum lycocarpum fruits glycoalkaloid extract in male wistar rats

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill. (Solanaceae) is a hairy shrub or small much-branched tree of the Brazilian Cerrado, popularly known as “fruit-of-wolf”. Besides the current use for the control of diabetes and obesity, the green fruits are topically applied on snakebites and the hot baked fruit is used in the treatment of tissue atrophy. Plants of genus Solanum are known for their high alkaloid concentration and part of their toxicity may be due to these alkaloids. Solasonine and solamargine are two major glycoalkaloids found in at least 100 Solanum species. Studies on the activities of solamargine demonstrated that it inhibits the growth of human tumor cells, eg. colon, prostate, breast and hepatoma cells. In this sense, the aim of present study was to evaluate the anticarcinogenic potential of S. lycocarpum fruits glycoalkaloid extract (SL) on the formation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon of male Wistar rats by ACF assays. Animals were treated by gavage with doses of 15, 30 and 60mg/kg body weight/day. Also, two doses subcutaneous injection of 40mg/kg of DMH were administered for two weeks, and animals were sacrificed two weeks after the last injection for evaluating ACF development in rats' colon. The results showed a significant reduction in the frequency of ACF in the group treated with the SL plus DMH in comparison with those treated with DMH alone, suggesting that SL suppressed the formation of ACF, as well as had a protective affect against colon carcinogenesis.

Antigenotoxicity of Solanum lycocarpum glycoalkaloid extract and its majority compounds, solamargine and solasonine, in V79 cells

Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil. (Solanaceae) are commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, as well as for controlling cholesterol levels. Solasonine and solamargine are two major glycoalkaloids found in at least 100 Solanum species. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of S. lycocarpum fruits glycoalkaloid extract (SL), solamargine (SM) and solasonine (SS), in V79 cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the colony forming assay. Genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential were evaluated by comet assay. Different concentrations of SL (4, 8, 16 and 32 µg/mL), SM (7.1µg/mL) and SS (14.4 µg/mL) were used for the evaluation of their genotoxic potential in V79 cells. In the antigenotoxicity assay, the different concentrations of SL, SM and SS were combined with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). SL, SM and SS were cytotoxic at concentrations up to 32µg/mL, 7.1µg/mL and 14.4 µg/mL, respectively. The comet assay revealed that SL, SM and SS displayed no genotoxic activity, but they significantly reduced the extent of DNA damage induced by MMS.

Evaluation of the schistosomicidal activity of the steroidal alkaloids from Solanum lycocarpum fruits

Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae), a Brazilian medicinal plant known as "wolf fruit," contains about 1.5% of glycoalkaloids in its dried fruits, consisting mainly of solamargine and solasonine. The present work reports the obtainment of the alkaloidic extract of the S. lycocarpum fruit by acid-base extraction and the isolation of the major alkaloid heterosides by chromatographic means, as well as the evaluation of their in vitro schistosomicidal activities. The in vitro schistosomicidal activities of the alkaloidic extract of S. lycocarpum fruits and its isolated steroidal alkaloids were undertaken against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The alkaloidic extract (20, 32, and 50 μg mL(-1)), solasonine (50 μM), solamargine (32 and 50 μM), and equimolar mixture of glycoalkaloids (20, 32, and 50 μM) lead to the separation of all couple worms and extensive disruption on their teguments, such as sloughing, as well as their deaths within 24 h of incubation. In addition, the alkaloidic extract (10 and 15 μg mL(-1)), solasonine (50 μM), solamargine (10, 15, and 20 μM), and equimolar mixtures of glycoalkaloids (10 and 15 μM) reduced the development of eggs produced by the adult worms. Solamargine, containing the sugar chain moiety chacotriose, was more active than the solasonine, which contains solatriose sugar chain moiety. A synergistic effect was also observed for a mixture of solamargine and solasonine. Therefore, the alkaloidic extract of S. lycocarpum, and its major components, solamargine and solasonine, showed promising schistosomicidal activity.

Extraction and partial characterization of Solanum lycocarpum pectin

In this work Solanum lycocarpum fruits were used as a source of pectin. The parameters of pectin extraction were examined using a 2 3 factorial design, with temperature, pH and extraction time as independent variables. The extracted S. lycocarpum pectin and dried pulp were analyzed for the presence of antinutritional compounds, such as amylase and trypsin inhibitors, hemagglutinin, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and phytate. Pectin was characterized by measuring its methoxylation degree, intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight. The best pectin extraction conditions yielded as much as 33.6% (dry matter). The S. lycocarpum pectin was determined to be highly methoxylated (77.15%), and it showed an intrinsic viscosity 4.6% lower than that of citrus pectin, probably due to its lower molecular weight (177.76 kDa versus 224.48 kDa of that of citrus pectin). Although there were tannins and phytate in the dried pulp, the pectin fraction was free of these compounds.

Antimutagenic Potential ofSolanum lycocarpumagainst Induction of Chromosomal Aberrations in V79 Cells and Micronuclei in Mice by Doxorubicin

Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) is a hairy shrub or small much-branched tree of the Brazilian Cerrado. S. lycocarpum fruits are commonly used in traditional medicine in powder form or as folk preparations for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, as well as for controlling cholesterol levels. The aim of the present study was to chemically characterize the hydroalcoholic extract (SL) of S. lycocarpum by determination of total flavonoids and total poyphenols and quantification of steroidal alkaloids, as well as to evaluate its mutagenic and/or antimutagenic potential on V79 cells and Swiss mice using chromosomal aberrations and bone marrow micronucleus assays, respectively. Three concentrations of SL (16, 32, and 24 µg/mL) were used for the evaluation of its mutagenic potential in V79 cells and four doses (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg body weight) were used for Swiss mice. In the antimutagenicity assays, the different concentrations of SL were combined with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DXR). HPLC analysis of SL gave contents of 6.57 % ± 0.41 of solasonine and 4.60 % ± 0.40 of solamargine. Total flavonoids and polyphenols contents in SL were 0.04 and 3.60 %, respectively. The results showed that not only SL exerted no mutagenic effect, but it also significantly reduced the frequency of chromosomal aberrations induced by DXR in both V79 cells and micronuclei in Swiss mice at the doses tested.

Pharmacognostical Evaluation of Fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill. (Solanaceae)

This study describes the chemical and physical-chemical profile of plant drug and ethanolic extract obtained from fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill. (Solanaceae). The physical and chemical analysis involved the granulometry determination, non-compacted apparent density, loss on drying in oven and in infrared scale, pH, ash values and extractive values. The results determined the physical-chemical characteristics of the drug plant. It was also carried out the microbiological control of the plant drug. The preliminary phytochemical screening featured the presence of tannins, flavonoids and saponins in the plant drug and alkaloids and steroids in the ethanolic exctract. The solamargine and solasonine glycoalkaloids were identified through TLC and GC/MS. The levels of total phenols and tannins were quantified in the extract (8.90% and 6,85% respectively). Such studies contribute to the chemical identification and quality control of S. lycocarpum fruits.

Toxicological evaluation of 10% Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill fruit consumption in the diet of growing rats: Hematological, biochemical and histopathological effects

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill ( Solanaceae) is a native shrub very common in the Brazilian savanna. The fruit of this plant contains steroidal glycoalkaloids that may disrupt the endocrine system. Because this plant is employed in folk medicine for the management of diabetes, obesity and decreasing cholesterol levels, the present study determined the possible toxic effects of exposure to S. lycocarpum fruit from weaning (21 days old) until adult age (8 weeks of treatment) in male and female rats. In male rats, the plant reduced weight gain, while few significant differences were observed in female animals. Slight significant differences were observed in food and water consumption and in hematological parameters in treated rats. Reductions in adrenal gland, spleen, heart, kidneys and thymus weights of treated males were observed, while increased relative weights were detected in the heart, epididymises, lungs, seminal vesicles, and testicles. In females, no differences were observed in organ weights and few differences were observed in relative weights of some organs. The histopathologic study showed no alteration between groups. Serum biochemical parameters showed triglyceride reductions in treated animals of both sexes; in females, an increase in albumin and alanine aminotransferase levels and a reduction in total protein levels were noted. The present data therefore demonstrate sex-related differences in S. lycocarpum toxicity.

Phytochemical study of Solanum lycocarpum (St. Hil) unripe fruit and its effects on rat gestation

Solanum lycocarpum, St. Hil (Solanaceae) is a common native shrub in the Brazilian cerrado. The fruits are used in folk medicine as a hypoglycaemic agent in the management of diabetes, obesity and to decrease cholesterol levels. In this study the glycoalkaloids, solamargine and solasonine, were isolated from unripe fruits of S. lycocarpum. To evaluate the effects of the fruits on gestation, pregnant rats (n=25) were fed from day 6 to 22 with chow containing 10% of dried and ground unripe fruits. The control group (n=21) received regular chow. During and after the treatment period the dams showed reduced body weight and slower body weight gain, even with no change in food and water intake, evidencing mild maternal toxicity. Gestation was not significantly impaired, although experimental fetuses presented reduced body length at birth. Also, 20% of the treated dams showed one or two dead pups at birth. On day 22 of gestation and on post-natal day 1, the levels of metabolites of the sex hormones oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone were measured in faeces by radioimmunoassay. On post-natal day 1, tissue portions from the dams were collected for histopathological evaluation. No alterations were detected in either study. The results suggest that S. lycocarpum fruit did not impair gestation, however, it did promote mild maternal toxicity and mild fetotoxic effects if ingested as a food source during the gestation period. This study has implications for pregnant women, who employ phytotherapeutic formulations under the impression that they are harmless.