Genus Solanum

Solanaceous plants comprise over 90 genera and 2000 species mainly growing over the tropics and temperate regions. The genus Solanum with approximately 1500 species is the largest genus in Solanaceae and includes economically important species and being widely distributed in tropical centers and temperate regions. The family is also informally known as the nightshade or potato family. Alternatively the name has been suggested to originate from the Latin verb solari meaning to soothe or Latin word “solamen” meaning quieting alluding to its sedative action. However some species of Solanum have toxic properties attributed to certain plant constituents being mostly steroidal alkaloids. It is important sources of food spice and medicine. Among them eggplant and potato are important foodstuffs and S. dulcamara had been used as an anticancer drug since Greece age and stated on the herbal books in many countries. Furthermore the study of solanaceous plants was developed in order to prove the effectiveness of their usage as foodstuffs and folk medicines.