Vartaku
Solanum melongena
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.
| Botanical name | Solanum melongena |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Solanales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2930617 · Wikidata Q7540 · NCBI Taxonomy 4111 |
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), 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 (steroidal alkaloid) is moderately absorbed but has dose-dependent toxicity. 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 (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, Quercetin
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 (fenugreek) - combined glycemic support in dietary formulation
- Haridra (turmeric) - anti-inflammatory synergy in cooked preparation
- Nimba (neem) - combined anti-diabetic formulation
- Karvellaka (bitter gourd) - complementary anti-hyperglycemic action
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.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2022. Concentration of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in eggplant vegetable (Solanum melongena) irrigated with wastewater: a systematic review and meta-analysis and probabilistic health risk assessmentInternational journal of environmental health research. PMID 33588645 · doi:10.1080/09603123.2021.1887461
Other clinical studies and reviews6
- 2021. Solanum melongena allergy (A comprehensive review)Experimental and therapeutic medicine. PMID 34434275 · doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10495
- 2021. Effect of eggplant (Solanum melongena) on the metabolic syndrome: A reviewIranian journal of basic medical sciences. PMID 34094022 · doi:10.22038/ijbms.2021.50276.11452
- 2021. Doubled Haploids in EggplantBiology. PMID 34356540 · doi:10.3390/biology10070685
- 2021. Genetic Diversity and Utilization of Cultivated Eggplant Germplasm in Varietal ImprovementPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34451758 · doi:10.3390/plants10081714
- 2020. Heterosis Breeding in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.): Gains and ProvocationsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 32213925 · doi:10.3390/plants9030403
- 2018. Health benefits and bioactive compounds of eggplantFood chemistry. PMID 30064803 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.06.093
Laboratory and animal studies5
- 2021. Pest categorisation of Leucinodes orbonalisEFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. PMID 34804235 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6890
- 2020. Terpenes and lignans from the roots of Solanum melongena LNatural product research. PMID 30600708 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2018.1533828
- 2016. Identification and characterization of CBL and CIPK gene families in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG. PMID 27287616 · doi:10.1007/s00438-016-1218-8
- 2014. Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of microwave-assisted Solanum melongena extractsTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 24683354 · doi:10.1155/2014/719486
- 2002. Proximate and mineral compositions of cooked and uncooked Solanum melongenaInternational journal of food sciences and nutrition. PMID 11939104 · doi:10.1080/09637480220132111
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