Updated aspects of alpha‐Solanine as a potential anticancer agent: Mechanistic insights and future directions

• Published in: Food science & nutrition 2024-10, Vol.12 (10), p.7088-7107
• Main Authors: Nandi, Sudeshna, Sikder, Rimpa, Nag, Anish, Khatua, Somanjana, Sen, Surjit, Chakraborty, Nilanjan, Naskar, Arghya, Zhakipbekov, Kairat, Acharya, Krishnendu, Habtemariam, Solomon, Arslan Ateşşahin, Dilek, Goloshvili, Tamar, Ahmed Aldahish, Afaf, Sharifi‐Rad, Javad, Calina, Daniela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androgens; Antibiotics; anticancer mechanisms; Anticancer properties; Antidiabetics; Antineoplastic drugs; apoptosis; Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Estrogens; Global health; Glycoalkaloids; Herbal medicine; Hormones; Lead compounds; Phytochemicals; Potatoes; Prevention; Public health; Review; Search engines; Signal transduction; Solanaceae; Throat cancer; Toxicity; Toxins; α‐Solanine
• ISSN: 2048-7177; 2048-7177
• DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4221

Cancer remains a critical global health challenge, with limited progress in reducing mortality despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment. The growing resistance of tumors to existing chemotherapy exacerbates this burden. In response, the search for new anticancer compounds from plants has intensified, given their historical success in yielding effective treatments. This review focuses on α‐solanine, a glycoalkaloid primarily derived from potato tubers and nightshade family plants, recognized for its diverse biological activities, including anti‐allergic, antipyretic, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐diabetic, and antibiotic properties. Recently, α‐solanine has gained attention as a potential anticancer agent. Utilizing resources like PubMed/MedLine, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, the American Chemical Society, Google Scholar, Springer Link, Wiley, and various commercial websites, this review consolidates two decades of research on α‐solanine's anticancer effects and mechanisms against nine different cancers, highlighting its role in modulating various signaling pathways. It also discusses α‐solanine's potential as a lead compound in cancer therapy. The abundant availability of potato peel, often discarded as waste or sold cheaply, is suggested as a sustainable source for large‐scale α‐solanine extraction. The study concludes that α‐solanine holds promise as a standalone or adjunctive cancer treatment. However, further research is necessary to optimize this lead compound and mitigate its toxicity through various strategies. α‐Solanine, extracted from vegetables has a role as an anticancer compound. Illustrated are its molecular structure and experimental evidence of anticancer action in cancer cell lines and animal models, demonstrating increased apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, metastasis reduction and angiogenesis inhibition.