Chemistry
Turkey berry contains a number of potentially pharmacologically active chemicals including the sapogenin steroid, chlorogenin.
Aqueous extracts of turkey berry are lethal to mice by depressing the number of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets in their blood (Tapia and others 1996). A related chemical, cholecalciferol, is the active ingredient in a number of commercial rodentacides.
Extracts of the plant are reported to be useful in the treatment of hyperactivity, colds and cough, pimples, skin diseases, and leprosy.
Methyl caffeate, extracted from the fruit of S. torvum shows an antidiabetic effect in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Read more about this topic: Solanum Torvum
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)