Herb's Introduction
Solanum chrysotrichum Schltdl., commonly known as Giant Devil's Fig, is a thorny shrub or small tree belonging to the Solanaceae family (Nightshade family). It is native to Mexico and Central America but has become naturalized in various other regions, including parts of Australia and Africa, where it is often considered an environmental weed. The plant is characterized by its large, lobed, hairy leaves and stems covered with yellowish-rusty hair and moderate, curved spines. It produces white, star-shaped flowers that develop into fleshy, round, dull yellow-orange fruits. Beyond its botanical description, this plant holds significance in traditional medicine, particularly in Mexican folk practices, for its antifungal and other therapeutic properties.
Name in Different Countries
The common name for Solanum chrysotrichum varies by region, reflecting its appearance and sometimes its invasive nature. Scientific Name: Solanum chrysotrichum Schltdl. Family: Solanaceae Chinese Name (as provided): 多裂水茄 (Duō liè shuǐ qié) Common English Names: Devil's Fig, Giant Devil's Fig. Origin/Native Regions: Mexico and Central America (e.g., Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama). Note: While the prompt asks for "Medicinal Plants of Nepal," specific vernacular names for Solanum chrysotrichum in Nepal were not found in the search results, suggesting it might not be a widely used or well-known medicinal plant in that region, or the local name is not documented in the available literature.
Terminology
Botanical Classification: It belongs to the genus Solanum, which is one of the largest genera of flowering plants, containing species like potato, tomato, and eggplant. Habit: It is described as a shrub or small tree, typically growing 1.5–6 meters tall. Prickles/Spines: A distinctive feature is the presence of spines on the stout, green, and often purplish young stems and sometimes on the leaf veins, leading to its common name, "Devil's Fig." Indumentum: The stems and leaves are covered with dense, star-shaped (stellate), yellowish-rusty hairs, which is part of the plant's species epithet, chrysotrichum, meaning "golden hair." Family (Solanaceae): This family is known for containing various medicinally and agriculturally important, but also sometimes poisonous, species due to the presence of alkaloids.
Availability
Native Range: The herb is naturally found across Mexico and Central America. Naturalized Range: It has spread and is now naturalized in other parts of the world, including: Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria). Africa (e.g., South Africa, Malawi, Zambia). Asia (e.g., India, though not as widespread as native Solanum species). Cultivation: It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant or, in certain cuisines (like Thai, Lao, Indian, and Jamaican), for its edible fruits used in soups, sauces, pastes, and curries.
External Look
Height and Structure: A robust shrub or small tree, usually 2–6 meters tall, with an upright (erect) habit. Stems/Twigs: Green and stout, densely covered with yellowish rusty hair (woolly). They are moderately spiny, with curved spines up to 0.6 cm long; younger stems can be purplish. Leaves: Alternate, large (about 17 cm long, 14 cm wide, but can be much larger, 9–40 cm long), egg-shaped (ovate). The margin is lobed, cutting part-way to the middle of the leaf. They are densely hairy on both sides, with new leaves and stems being densely rusty-yellow-woolly. Flowers: White, large (around 3 cm wide), and star-shaped (stellate). They grow in tight, branched clusters along the stems. They have a tubular base and five pointed petal lobes, with yellow anthers grouped around the stigma. Fruit: Fleshy and round (globular), growing up to 2 cm wide. They mature from green to dull yellow-orange or yellowish-orange, cupped in the old calyx, and have a swollen stalk.
Healing Properties
Solanum chrysotrichum is recognized in traditional medicine, particularly in Mexico, for its significant antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Antifungal/Antimycotic: Research supports its traditional use in treating skin mycosis (fungal skin infections) such as Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and other dermatophyte infections. Extracts from the leaves have demonstrated activity against fungi like Trychophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, and Microsporum gypseum. Anti-Candida Activity: Its methanolic extract, particularly containing spirostanic saponins (like SC-2), shows fungicidal effects against Candida albicans and non-albicans strains, suggesting potential for treating conditions like vaginal Candida infection. Antimicrobial: Extracts have shown effects on the proliferation of certain bacteria (e.g., inhibiting Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and yeasts. Cytotoxic/Antitumor Activity (In-vitro): Studies suggest that extracts of S. chrysotrichum may have cytotoxic and antitumor activities in vitro against human breast and prostate carcinoma cells, possibly due to the presence of saponins. Anti-inflammatory: Saponins found in Solanum species often possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Advantages
Effective Traditional Antifungal: It provides a historically validated natural remedy for common and persistent skin fungal infections, which is crucial in regions with limited access to modern medicine. Source of Active Compounds: The plant contains active molecules, notably steroidal saponins, which are responsible for its potent antifungal and fungicidal effects. This makes it a potential source for developing standardized herbal medicinal products. Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Potential: The extracts show activity against various pathogens (dermatophytes, Candida, and some bacteria), suggesting a broad application range for traditional healers. Local Availability in Native Regions: Being native to Mexico and Central America, and naturalized elsewhere, it offers an accessible, local source of medicine for communities in those areas. Multipurpose Use: Beyond medicine, its fruit is used in some cuisines, and the plant itself is sometimes used as a rootstock in agriculture.
Uses
Traditional Medicine (Topical): Primarily used for skin infections (mycosis), including Tinea (ringworm, athlete's foot), and scabies. The water or methanolic extracts of the leaves are typically used. Traditional Medicine (Internal/Mucosal): Used to treat fungal-associated dermal and mucosal illnesses, including exploring its potential for treating vaginal infection by Candida (though clinical effectiveness can vary with dosage). Other Traditional Applications: Although less documented than antifungal uses, some reports mention its use for other external and internal conditions, and some Solanum relatives are used against ailments like cancer, suggesting potential areas for future research. Culinary Use: The ripe fruits are sometimes used in Thai, Lao, Indian, and Jamaican cuisine as an ingredient in soups, sauces, pastes, and curries. Horticultural Use: Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental plant or used as a rootstock to avoid wilt diseases in related crops.
Using Way
In traditional Mexican medicine, the primary method of use is: For Skin Mycosis (e.g., Athlete's Foot, Scabies): Preparation: An extract (often methanolic or aqueous) from the leaves is prepared. Application: Applied topically to the affected skin area, often in the form of a cream or an aqueous wash. Clinical trials have used a cream containing 5% of a methanolic leaf extract applied daily for several weeks. For Vaginal Candida Infection: Preparation: A standardized herbal medicinal product (Sc-hmp), such as a vaginal suppository or cream based on the active extract (standardized to contain a certain amount of the active saponin SC-2). Application: Applied vaginally for a course of continuous nights, under the guidance of a traditional or modern practitioner. For Culinary Use: Part Used: Ripe fruits are cooked into savory dishes. Important Warning: Due to the presence of spiny parts and the fact that the plant belongs to the Solanaceae family (which contains many toxic species), internal use or self-medication should be avoided without expert medical or herbal guidance. Ripe fruits are sometimes consumed, but parts other than the fully ripe fruit may be toxic. Professional preparation and standardized extracts are recommended for medicinal use.
Conclusion
Solanum chrysotrichum Schltdl., the Giant Devil's Fig, is a spiny, large-leaved shrub native to Central America, known for its strong traditional medicinal application as an antifungal agent, particularly in Mexican folk medicine. Its effectiveness in treating skin mycosis, including athlete's foot, and its activity against Candida and certain bacteria are supported by scientific studies, which have identified steroidal saponins as the key active compounds. While it is classified as an environmental weed in some introduced regions, its value as a natural source of antimicrobial agents remains significant. The plant’s distinct external look, characterized by dense rusty hairs and sharp spines, makes it easily identifiable. While also used culinarily in some areas, its medicinal applications predominantly involve topical use of leaf extracts for fungal and skin-related ailments. Due to its botanical family, caution is advised for any internal or unprescribed use.
