Solasonine is a
glycoalkaloid
Glycoalkaloids are a family of chemical compounds derived from alkaloids to which sugar groups are appended. Several are potentially toxic, most notably the poisons commonly found in the plant species ''Solanum dulcamara'' (bittersweet nightshade) ...
that is found in Solanum plants of the family
Solanaceae. Solasonine is a
poisonous
Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...
chemical compound
A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element ...
when used at high levels. It is a
glycoside
In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycoside ...
of
solasodine
Solasodine is a poisonous alkaloid chemical compound that occurs in plants of the family Solanaceae such as potatoes and tomatoes. Solasonine and solamargine are glycoalkaloid derivatives of solasodine. Solasodine is teratogenic to hamster fetus ...
. Glycoalkaloids such as Solasonine have various applications including pharmacology, cancer treatments and even a role as a pesticide.
High levels of glycoalkaloids are toxic to humans due to their ability to disrupt cell-membrane function.
There is a loss of membrane integrity which puts the cell at risk for apoptosis (cell death) due to the ability of any chemical coming into contact with the cell.
Solasonine was one component of the unsuccessful experimental cancer drug candidate
Coramsine.
Side Effects
Although, solasonine has anti-infection properties it has many adverse side effects as a steroidal glycoalkaloid.
These side effects include low blood pressure, a decrease in respiratory activity, rapid heart beat etc.
These side effects are the direct result of the cytotoxic properties of solasonine (at high levels) that lead to disrupted cell membranes.
See also
*
Solauricidine
References
External links
*
Steroidal alkaloids
Alkaloid glycosides
Plant toxins
Steroidal alkaloids found in Solanaceae
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