Toxicity from crude extracts and glycoalkaloid fractions of Solanum spp. Against Artemia salina and Biomphalaria glabrata

Abstract

Solanum is the largest and most complex genus from the Solanaceae family; it is variously distributed in South America. Its species are rich in glycoalkaloids and flavonoids, which provide them with varied biological activities. This work obtained the ethanol crude extracts (90%) and the respective glycoalkaloid fractions of 6 species, S. americanum, S. capsicoides, S. crinitum, S. lycocarpum, S. seaforthianum and S. variabile. S. crinitum and S. seaforthianum showed larger glycoalkaloid fractions. Assays conducted with the microcrustacean Artemia salina indicated that both crude extracts and glycoalkaloid fractions show significant toxicity, and that S. seaforthianum (DL50 = 1 μg.mL-1) and S. crinitum (DL50 = 13 μg.mL-1) are the most toxic ones. Considering the molluscicide assays, none of the crude extracts showed any important activity, and only some of the glycoalkaloid fractions did. However, the fractions of S. seaforthianum and S. crinitum were very active, DL50 = 34.70 μg.mL-1 and 4.90 μg.mL-1, respectively; an effect that can be correlated with the results of the general toxicity assay, and with the bountiful glycoalkaloid fractions in these species.