Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Makoy

Solanum nigrum

Makoy (Solanum nigrum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Glycoalkaloids are partially hydrolyzed in the GI tract to more absorbable aglycones. Hepatoprotective effects are primarily via first-pass liver exposure. Diosgenin absorption is enhanced by lipid co-administration.

Key facts
Botanical nameSolanum nigrum
FamilySolanaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSolanales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 9150405 · Wikidata Q146400 · NCBI Taxonomy 4112

This entry and kakamachi describe the same drug, Solanum nigrum, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishMakoy

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Svarasa (fresh juice), Churna (whole plant powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Syrup, Topical poultice

Standard Dosage: 10-20 mL fresh juice twice daily; 3-6 g powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 500 mg extract capsules twice daily

Bioavailability: Steroidal alkaloids (solasonine, solamargine) have moderate oral bioavailability (~25-35%). Glycoalkaloids are partially hydrolyzed in the GI tract to more absorbable aglycones. Hepatoprotective effects are primarily via first-pass liver exposure. Diosgenin absorption is enhanced by lipid co-administration.

Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach for hepatoprotective effects; before meals for digestive benefits; fresh juice preferably in morning

Standardized Extract: Standardized whole plant extract (8:1 hydroalcoholic) with minimum 1% total steroidal alkaloids (as solasonine equivalents) and controlled solanine below 0.1%. Spray-dried juice powder (10:1) preserving hepatoprotective glycoproteins.

Shelf Life: Fresh juice: 4-6 hours at room temperature, 24-48 hours refrigerated. Dried powder: 18 months. Capsules/tablets: 24 months. Syrup: 18 months with preservative.

Storage: Fresh plant material processed within 6 hours of harvest. Dried powder below 25 deg C in airtight, light-resistant containers. Syrup at room temperature in amber bottles. Capsules/tablets in blister packs with desiccant.

Marker Compounds: Solasonine, Solamargine, Solasodine, Solanine (controlled), Diosgenin, Quercetin, Caffeic acid, Riboflavin

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous extraction (whole plant)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Fresh juice by cold pressing
  • Acid-water extraction for alkaloid enrichment
  • Spray drying of decoction for standardized powder

Synergistic Combinations

  • Bhumi Amalaki (hepatoprotective synergy)
  • Kalmegh (liver protection and bitter tonic)
  • Kutki (hepatic combination)
  • Punarnava (hepatorenal protective)
  • Haridra (anti-inflammatory and liver support)

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

  1. Wang Y, Wang T, Liu W and others. 2024. Anticancer effects of solasonine: Evidence and possible mechanismsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 38198952 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116146
  2. Pei H, Yang J, Li W and others. 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
  3. Sharma D, Joshi M, Apparsundaram S and others. 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
  4. Zhang H, Lv JL, Zheng QS and others. 2023. Active components of Solanum nigrum and their antitumor effects: a literature reviewFrontiers in oncology. PMID 38192621 · doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1329957
  5. Chen X, Dai X, Liu Y and others. 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
  6. Luo S, Tian GJ, Yu FX and others. 2021. A narrative review of the antitumor studies of solanineTranslational cancer research. PMID 35116482 · doi:10.21037/tcr-20-3094
  7. Schmidt DD, Kessler A, Kessler D and others. 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

  1. Teng Y, Xiao Y, Sun H and others. 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
  2. Li SW, Zhao YH, Gao WK and others. 2023. Steroidal constituents from Solanum nigrumFitoterapia. PMID 37421992 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105603
  3. Liu LY, Yang YK, Wang JN and others. 2022. Steroidal alkaloids from Solanum nigrum and their cytotoxic activitiesPhytochemistry. PMID 35820506 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113317
  4. Bai M, Zhang Q, Hou ZL and others. 2022. Chemical constituents from Solanum nigrum and their neuroprotective activitiesJournal of Asian natural products research. PMID 34585635 · doi:10.1080/10286020.2021.1978987
  5. Ding X, Zhu FS, Li M and others. 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

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.