Health and Toxicity Effects of Solanum torvum and Solanum nigrum Berries Extract on Rats

Background and Objective: Solanum torvum (S. torvum) and Solanum nigrum (S. nigrum) are indigenous to various tropical and subtropical regions, such as Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Ghana, known locally as Kwahu nsusua and nsusua, respectively. This study aimed to explore the potential of anti-diabetic properties of freeze-dried boiled and raw berries of Solanum nigrum Linn. and Solanum torvum Swart using normoglycemic rats. Materials and Methods: Healthy male rats were divided into test and control groups, totalling fourteen groups of four rats each. The safety and anti-diabetic effects of aqueous extracts from Solanum torvum and Solanum nigrum were assessed. Measurements were conducted in triplicate and data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test, with results expressed as Mean±SEM at a 95% confidence interval. Results: All extract doses resulted in decreased rat body weights, with significant decreases in glucose levels observed 7 hrs post-administration for all doses. Particularly, the 1000 mg/kg doses of STR and STB extracts exhibited effects comparable to Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). While no significant differences were noted in organ weight analysis, reductions in white blood cell and platelet counts were observed in some Solanum nigrum groups. Moreover, alterations in lipid profiles and liver function indices were noted in certain treatment groups, with the 1000 mg/kg STR extract significantly reducing bilirubin levels. Conclusion: The findings suggest that freeze-dried boiled and raw berries of Solanum nigrum and Solanum torvum possess hypoglycaemic properties and exhibit nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects. These observations were supported by microscopic examination of the liver and kidney of treated animals.