Kakamachi
Solanum nigrum
Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Note: Ripe black berries only (unripe green berries contain higher solanine levels). Bioavailability: Solanum nigrum contains steroidal glycoalkaloids (solasonine, solamargine), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), and polyphenols.
| Botanical name | Solanum nigrum |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Solanales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 9150405 · Wikidata Q146400 · NCBI Taxonomy 4112 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kakamachi |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh whole plant juice), Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), Ghrita (medicated ghee)
Standard Dosage: 10-20ml fresh plant juice; 3-6g powder twice daily; 500mg extract; 50-100ml decoction. Note: Ripe black berries only (unripe green berries contain higher solanine levels).
Bioavailability: Solanum nigrum contains steroidal glycoalkaloids (solasonine, solamargine), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), and polyphenols. Glycoalkaloids are well absorbed orally with ~50-60% bioavailability; they accumulate with chronic use. Quercetin and flavonoids have moderate bioavailability (~5-10%). Steroidal sapogenin aglycones (diosgenin, solasodine) are released by gut bacterial hydrolysis.
Optimal Timing: Fresh juice: morning on empty stomach for liver support. Powder/extract: before meals.
Standardized Extract: Hydroalcoholic extract standardized to 0.5-1% total solasodine glycosides with TGA safety limit; aqueous extract for traditional hepatoprotective use
Shelf Life: 3 months (fresh juice, preserved); 2 years (powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsule)
Storage: Fresh preparations: refrigerate. Dried preparations: cool, dry place below 25°C. Protect from light. Clearly label alkaloid content.
Marker Compounds: Solasonine, Solamargine, Solasodine (aglycone), Diosgenin, Quercetin, Caffeic acid, Riboflavin
Extraction Methods
- Fresh plant juice (Swarasa - traditional primary preparation)
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 to 70:30)
- Traditional Ghrita preparation for lipophilic compound extraction
- Methanol extraction for comprehensive alkaloid and flavonoid recovery
Synergistic Combinations
- With Bhringaraj for hepatoprotective action
- With Himsra (caper) for liver protection
- With Guduchi for liver and immune support
- With Yashtimadhu for gastric ulcer protection
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 reviews7
- 2024. Anticancer effects of solasonine: Evidence and possible mechanismsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 38198952 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116146
- 2023. Solanum nigrum Linn.: Advances in anti-cancer activity and mechanism in digestive system tumorsMedical oncology (Northwood, London, England). PMID 37775552 · doi:10.1007/s12032-023-02167-7
- 2023. Solanum nigrum L. in COVID-19 and post-COVID complications: a propitious candidateMolecular and cellular biochemistry. PMID 36689040 · doi:10.1007/s11010-022-04654-3
- 2023. Active components of Solanum nigrum and their antitumor effects: a literature reviewFrontiers in oncology. PMID 38192621 · doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1329957
- 2022. Solanum nigrum Linn.: An Insight into Current Research on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and PharmacologyFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 36052142 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.918071
- 2021. A narrative review of the antitumor studies of solanineTranslational cancer research. PMID 35116482 · doi:10.21037/tcr-20-3094
- 2004. Solanum nigrum: a model ecological expression system and its toolsMolecular ecology. PMID 15078438 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02111.x
Laboratory and animal studies5
- 2025. Cadmium-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in leaves of Solanum nigrum LPlant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. PMID 40373653 · doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110016
- 2023. Steroidal constituents from Solanum nigrumFitoterapia. PMID 37421992 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105603
- 2022. Steroidal alkaloids from Solanum nigrum and their cytotoxic activitiesPhytochemistry. PMID 35820506 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113317
- 2022. Chemical constituents from Solanum nigrum and their neuroprotective activitiesJournal of Asian natural products research. PMID 34585635 · doi:10.1080/10286020.2021.1978987
- 2012. Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by solamargine from Solanum nigrum LJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 22172325 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.058
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