Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Brihati

Solanum indicum L.

Brihati (Solanum indicum L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Solanaceae family. Documented in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as component of Dashamula; referenced in WHO SEARO traditional medicine inventories.

Key facts
Botanical nameSolanum indicum L.
FamilySolanaceae
Pharmacopoeia statusDocumented in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as component of Dashamula; referenced in WHO SEARO traditional medicine inventories

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishBrihati
Latin/BotanicalSolanum indicum L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory: Steroidal glycosides and solasodine inhibit NF-kB-mediated production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in macrophages
  • Respiratory: Alkaloids exert bronchodilatory effect through muscarinic receptor antagonism and mast cell stabilization
  • Anticancer: Solamargine induces apoptosis in cancer cells via caspase-3 activation and mitochondrial membrane depolarization

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Respiratory disorder treatment (Kasa-Shwasa) validated by bronchodilatory and anti-asthmatic activity in histamine-induced bronchospasm models
  • Anti-inflammatory use confirmed through significant reduction in carrageenan and formalin-induced edema in animal studies
  • Anthelmintic use (Krimighna) supported by in vitro activity against Pheretima posthuma and Ascaridia galli

What do recent clinical trials show?

3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Glycoalkaloids (solanine, solamargine) are toxic at high doses; must use only properly processed preparations at Ayurvedic therapeutic doses
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy; steroidal alkaloids may exhibit teratogenic effects at high concentrations in animal studies

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Solasodine
  • Solanine
  • Solamargine
  • Sitosterol
  • Apigenin
  • Luteolin
  • Diosgenin
  • Glycosides

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana (solid extract), As component of Dashamoola

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg extract capsule; commonly used as part of Dashamoola formulation

Bioavailability: Solasodine glycoalkaloids show moderate oral bioavailability (25-35%). Steroidal alkaloids are generally well absorbed due to lipophilicity. Diosgenin-related saponins undergo hydrolysis in the gut. Caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid show good oral absorption (40-60%). Decoction form provides better extraction of alkaloids than cold preparations.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for respiratory conditions; as Dashamoola Kashayam after meals for anti-inflammatory effects

Standardized Extract: Root extract standardized to solasonine NLT 0.5%; total steroidal alkaloids NLT 1.5%. Fruit extract standardized to solasodine NLT 1%.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule)

Storage: Cool, dry place in airtight containers. Protect from moisture. Alkaloid content stable under proper storage conditions.

Marker Compounds: Solasonine, Solamargine, Solasodine, Diosgenin, Carpesterol, Caffeic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Beta-sitosterol

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (1:16 reduced to 1:4)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for alkaloid-rich fractions
  • Acid-base extraction for steroidal alkaloid isolation
  • Ethanol extraction (95%) for saponin profiling
  • As part of Dashamoola Kwath (combined decoction)

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Kantakari as Brihati-Kantakari Dvandva for respiratory disorders
  • With other Dashamoola herbs for anti-inflammatory and analgesic synergy
  • With Vasa for bronchial conditions
  • With Pippali for Kapha-Vata respiratory conditions
  • With Guduchi for fever management

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Syu WJ, Don MJ, Lee GH and others. 2001. Cytotoxic and novel compounds from Solanum indicumJournal of natural products. PMID 11575964 · doi:10.1021/np010186v

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Gogoi D, Chattopadhyay P, Dolui SK and others. 2024. Studies on in vivo antithrombotic activity of quercetin, a natural flavonoid isolated from a traditional medicinal plant, African eggplant (Solanum indicum)Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 39127114 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118686
  2. Gadewar MM, G K P, Mishra PC and others. 2023. Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of Solanum indicum Fruit Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic RatsCurrent issues in molecular biology. PMID 36826003 · doi:10.3390/cimb45020058
  3. Nugroho D, Chanthai S, Oh WC and others. 2023. Fluorophores-rich natural powder from selected medicinal plants for detection latent fingerprints and cyanideScience progress. PMID 36890788 · doi:10.1177/00368504231156217
  4. Kaunda JS, Zhang YJ. 2020. Two new 23S,26R-hydroxylated spirostanoid saponins from the fruits of Solanum indicum var. recurvatumSteroids. PMID 31586607 · doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2019.108506
  5. Yasir M, Sultana B, Anwar F. 2018. LC-ESI-MS/MS based characterization of phenolic components in fruits of two species of SolanaceaeJournal of food science and technology. PMID 30042551 · doi:10.1007/s13197-017-2702-9
  6. Rai P, Rajput SJ. 2017. Preparation and physicochemical characterization of ingredients of Indian traditional medicine, Mahamrutyunjaya RasaJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 28757226 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2017.02.002
  7. Nwanna EE, Ibukun EO, Oboh G and others. 2014. HPLC-DAD Analysis and In-Vitro Property of Polyphenols Extracts from (Solanum Aethiopium) Fruits on α -Amylase, α -Glucosidase and Angiotensin - 1- Converting Enzyme ActivitiesInternational journal of biomedical science : IJBS. PMID 25598760
  8. Yin HL, Li JH, Li J and others. 2013. Four new coumarinolignoids from seeds of Solanum indicumFitoterapia. PMID 22975162 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2012.09.002
  9. Namsa ND, Mandal M, Tangjang S and others. 2011. Ethnobotany of the Monpa ethnic group at Arunachal Pradesh, IndiaJournal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine. PMID 21995750 · doi:10.1186/1746-4269-7-31
  10. Srividya AR, Arunkumar A, Cherian B and others. 2009. Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Anti-microbial studies of Solanum indicum leavesAncient science of life. PMID 22557334
  11. Jabbar S, Khan MT, Choudhuri MS and others. 2004. Bioactivity studies of the individual ingredients of the DashamularishtaPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 16414581

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