Kantakari
Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (syn. S. surattense Burm. f., S. virginianum L.)
Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (syn. S. surattense Burm. f., S. virginianum L.)) is a plant drug, also called Dusparsa, from the Solanaceae family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) as a key Dashamula ingredient; listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia.
| Botanical name | Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (syn. S. surattense Burm. f., S. virginianum L.) |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Also known as | Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (syn. S. surattense Burm. f., S. virginianum L.) |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) as a key Dashamula ingredient; listed in Indian Pharmacopoeia |
| Sanskrit | Dusparsa |
|---|
Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 1999 to 2024, every one with a DOI.
- 1Randomised controlled trials
- 2Other clinical studies and reviews
- 9Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kantakari |
| Latin/Botanical | Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. (syn. S. surattense Burm. f., S. virginianum L.) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Solasonine
- Solamargine
- Diosgenin
- Solasodine
- Caffeic acid
- Carpesterol
- Esculetin (coumarin)
- Beta-carotene
How does it work?
- Bronchodilatory: Steroidal alkaloids and glycoalkaloids inhibit histamine and acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm through muscarinic receptor antagonism
- Anti-asthmatic: Solasodine stabilizes mast cells, reduces IgE-mediated degranulation, and suppresses eosinophil infiltration in airways
- Hepatoprotective: Caffeic acid and coumarins (esculetin) reduce lipid peroxidation and restore hepatic glutathione levels
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used for asthma and cough (Shwasa-Kasahara) as a bronchodilator. Animal studies have reported reversal of histamine-induced bronchospasm.
- Traditionally used as a Diuretic (Mutrala). Animal studies in rats have reported increased urine volume and electrolyte excretion.
- Traditionally used as an Antipyretic. A study using a Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia model reported reduced fever.
What do recent studies show?
No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Steroidal glycoalkaloids may cause gastrointestinal irritation at excessive doses
- Should not be used during pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulant activity of steroidal compounds; avoid in patients with known nightshade sensitivity
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (juice), Avaleha (confection), Capsule, Syrup, Nebulizer solution (experimental)
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder twice daily; 10-20 mL juice; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 10-20 g Avaleha
Optimal Timing: After meals for respiratory conditions; Avaleha can be taken anytime with warm water or milk; decoction best taken morning and evening
Storage: Store in airtight containers at 15-30°C. Syrup and Avaleha require preservative system (sodium benzoate 0.1% for syrups). Protect powder from moisture.
Marker Compounds: Solasonine, Solamargine, Solasodine, Carpesterol, Diosgenin, Apigenin, Caffeic acid
Synergistic Combinations
- Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) for bronchitis and asthma (Kantakari-Vasadi Kwatha)
- Tulsi for respiratory infections
- Yashtimadhu for cough suppressant formulations
- Pippali for Shwasa (asthma) management
- Bharangi for Kasa-Shwasa (cough-asthma) synergy
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.
Randomised controlled trials1
- 2004. Further studies on the clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanum trilobatum in bronchial asthmaPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 15551394 · doi:10.1002/ptr.1555
Other clinical studies and reviews2
- 2023. Bioprospective Role of Ocimum sanctum and Solanum xanthocarpum against Emerging Pathogen: Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis: A ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37110723 · doi:10.3390/molecules28083490
- 1999. A pilot study on the clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanum trilobatum in bronchial asthmaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 10433479 · doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(98)00160-3
Laboratory and animal studies9
- 2024. Green Synthesis of Molybdenum Nanoparticles From Solanum xanthocarpum and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity Against Multidrug-Resistant Wound IsolatesCureus. PMID 38650815 · doi:10.7759/cureus.56760
- 2024. Anti-psoriatic potential of medicinal plants, Alstonia scholaris, Wrightia tinctoria, and Solanum xanthocarpum, using human HaCaT keratinocytes by multi-parametric analysisJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 39032661 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118596
- 2023. Chemical constituents and strong larvicidal activity of Solanum xanthocarpum among selected plants extracts against the malaria, filaria, and dengue vectorsJournal of vector borne diseases. PMID 37026216 · doi:10.4103/0972-9062.361177
- 2023. Green synthesis and characterization of Solanum xanthocarpum capped silver nanoparticles and its antimicrobial effect on multidrug-resistant bacterial (MDR) isolatesChemical biology & drug design. PMID 34453485 · doi:10.1111/cbdd.13945
- 2023. Multi-target mechanism of Solanum xanthocarpum for treatment of psoriasis based on network pharmacology and molecular dockingSaudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society. PMID 37811124 · doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101788
- 2014. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Solanum xanthocarpum leaf extracts against CCl4-induced liver injury in ratsPharmaceutical biology. PMID 24646306 · doi:10.3109/13880209.2013.877490
- 2012. Mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum (Family: Solanaceae) leaf extract and bacterial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis, against Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)Parasitology research. PMID 22215195 · doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2797-2
- 2012. Evaluation of antihepatotoxic potential of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against antitubercular drugs induced hepatopathy in experimental rodentsAsian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine. PMID 23569949 · doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60075-6
- 2011. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of Solanum xanthocarpum leaves (field grown & in vitro raised) extracts on alloxan induced diabetic ratsAsian Pacific journal of tropical medicine. PMID 22014732 · doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60193-4
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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