Evaluation of Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Analgesic Effects of Solanum Aethiopicum (African Eggplant) Fruits

Abstract

Solanum aethiopicum belongs to the family Solanaceae, and is commonly known as garden egg (gauta in Hausa). This research was conducted to assess the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and analgesic effectiveness of the methanol extract of Solanum aethiopicum fruits. Phytochemical analysis was performed following standard qualitative methods, while the antioxidant capability of the extract was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the analgesic activity was evaluated with the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Phytochemical analysis screening of the extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, steroids, and triterpenes, while anthraquinones were absent. The extract demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 43.87 µg/mL, which is higher than 4.942 µg/mL of BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), . The methanol extract of Solanum aethiopicum fruits showed high free radical scavenging activity (93.40% at 1000 µg/Ml) compared to that of BHT (90.1% at 1000 µg/mL). The analgesic effects of the extract were dose-dependent, with the 75 mg/kg dose achieving the highest inhibition of writhing at 62.5%, while the 300 mg/kg dose achieved 49.9% inhibition. However, the analgesic activity did not consistently increase with high doses. Overall, the findings indicate that Solanum aethiopicum fruits possess valuable phytochemicals with antioxidant properties and moderate analgesic effects, supporting their potential use in traditional medicine for oxidative stress management and moderate pain relief. 

Keywords: Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Solanum aethiopicum, Extract