Cytotoxicity of Leaves and Fruits of Solanum macrocarpon Linn (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Traditional leafy vegetables are these plants whose leaves or aerial parts have been integrated in a community’s culture for use as food over a long span of time. These vegetables are highly recommended due to their relatively high nutritional value compared to the introduced varieties, and are also important in food security. They are also used as medicines. This study aims to assess the potential cytotoxicity of S. macrocarpon, a vegetable highly used in Africa. After hatching shrimp larvae for 48 hours, they were brought into contact with aqueous dilutions of the leaves as well as fruit for 24 hours. The variation in larval mortality as a function of concentration has been translated by a curve and semi-lethal concentrations were determined. In addition, the values of the half-lethal concentration (LC50 = 1.33 mg / ml for leaves and 1.51 mg / ml for fruit) were all greater than 0.1 mg / ml, the upper limit of toxicity. It follows then that the leaves and fruits were not toxic on shrimp larvae for the range of explored concentrations. These parts of vegetable can therefore be used both in traditional medicine and nutrition without immediate or medium-term major risks.