Abstract

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF MAKO (SOLANUM NIGRUM)

MMM. Nifras* and A.M. Muthalib

ABSTRACT

The plant Solanum nigrum Linn which belongs to Solanacea family, commonly called as black night shade in English, Mako in Urdu, Manattakkali in Tamil and Kalukammeriya in Sinhala. It is distributed throughout tropical and temperate regions of the world. It possess various compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, proteins, carbohydrates, acetic compounds, resin. It does not have sterols, steroids and anthraquinones which are responsible for its diverse activities. Numerous preclinical investigations identified a variety of potential health benefits, including Hepatoprotective activity, Nephroprotective activity, Anti-diabetic activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Anti-cancer or Anti tumour activity, Anti-oxidant activity, Antimicrobial activity, Antihyperlipidemic activity. Further human studies needed to find the safety and efficacy of Mako.

Keywords: Mako, Solanum nigrum, Hepatoprotective, Nephroprotective, Antiinflammatory.