# Vartaku

> Vartaku (Solanum melongena) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Chlorogenic acid (3-CQA, major phenolic) has moderate bioavailability (~25-35%). Solasodine (steroidal alkaloid) is moderately absorbed but has dose-dependent toxicity. Solanine/alpha-solanine content must be monitored for safety.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Solanum melongena

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Vartaku |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu, Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Cooked vegetable ([Shaka](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#shaka)), Svarasa (juice), Churna (dried fruit powder), Capsule, Lepa (paste for external use)

**Standard Dosage:** 50-100 g cooked vegetable daily; 3-6 g dried fruit powder twice daily; 20-40 mL juice daily

**Bioavailability:** Nasunin (delphinidin-3-(p-coumaroylrutinoside)-5-glucoside), the key anthocyanin in purple eggplant skin, has low oral bioavailability (5-10%) due to pH-dependent instability and extensive Phase II metabolism. Chlorogenic acid (3-CQA, major phenolic) has moderate bioavailability (~25-35%). [Solasodine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#solasodine) (steroidal alkaloid) is moderately absorbed but has dose-dependent toxicity. [Solanine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#solanine)/alpha-solanine content must be monitored for safety.

**Optimal Timing:** As cooked vegetable with meals; dried preparations after meals

**Standardized Extract:** Peel/skin extract standardized to >2% total [anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) (as nasunin equivalent at pH 1.0, by differential pH method); chlorogenic acid >1.5% by HPLC; glycoalkaloids <20 mg/100g (safety limit)

**Shelf Life:** Fresh fruit: 5-7 days refrigerated; Dried powder: 12-18 months; Capsules: 24 months; Juice: 48-72 hours refrigerated

**Storage:** Fresh fruit at 8-12 deg C (cold injury below 7 deg C). Dried products in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Anthocyanin-containing products in opaque packaging.

**Marker Compounds:** Nasunin, Chlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid, Solasodine, alpha-Solanine (limit test), Delphinidin, [Rutin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rutin), [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-70% ethanol) for phenolic-rich extract
- Acidified methanol extraction for anthocyanin preservation
- Cooking/blanching (traditional preparation)

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Methi](/herb/methi/) (fenugreek) - combined glycemic support in dietary formulation
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) ([turmeric](/herb/turmeric/)) - anti-inflammatory synergy in cooked preparation
- [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) ([neem](/herb/neem/)) - combined anti-diabetic formulation
- [Karvellaka](/herb/karvellaka/) ([bitter gourd](/herb/bitter-gourd/)) - complementary anti-hyperglycemic action

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/vartaku/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.