Solanum anguvi Linn. (VRNTAKI)

Vrntaka (brinjal) is the term probably introduced during the nighantu times while vartaka or vartaku are the terms used to denote brinjal during nighantu period.It is listed under saka varga by brhat trayi.  Caraka mentioned it as an example for ‘vikrtivisamasamaveta’ dravya.  Though it is katu-tikta-kasaya in nature, it still acts as vatahara.  The tender fruit is considered pathya / vatahara while the matured fruit is apathya / vatavardhaka.  Though two varieties krsna and sveta are mentioned in nighantus, they are botanically identified as S. melangena Linn.

Botanical description – It is an prickly undershrub; leaves ovate, sinuate or lobed, stellately wooly beneath; flowers in few-folwered lateral cymes, blue in clour; calyx-lobes lanceolate, corolla shortely lobed; fruit is berry, glabrous, often large ellipsoid, globular or elongate, white or dark-purple or yellow coloured; seeds many, discoid.  Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.  Cultivated throughout India.

Chemical constituents –

Fruits – arginine, aspartic acid, solasodine, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, vit. A & C, nasunin, lycoxanthin etc.

Root bark – diosgenin, arachidic acid, stearic acid etc.

Plant – neotigogenin, solanine, solasonine, beta-stiosterol etc.

Part used – fruit, seeds, leaves and root.

Uses – Fruit is useful in glossitis owing to its vit B2 content; it is anti-obese, hypnotic as well; useful in liver disorders.  Leaves beneficial in respiratory disorders and dysuria. Root is considered to possess anti-asthmatic activity; it is applied over the nasal ulcer and juice is poured in the ear in case of otitis.