Utility potential of the aggressive invasive Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanaceae) as an option to control its expansion: bioactive compounds and medicinal properties

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., (Solanaceae), is one of the most invasive and noxious plants in several Mediterranean countries. Recently it has been reported that in Greece the presence of S. elaegnifolium has increased by 1750%, doubling its main distribution centers and reaching higher altitudes. The invasive alien plants harm the natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Preventive measures and supplementary initiatives should be implemented rapidly and incorporated urgently into current biodiversity conservation and agricultural management regimes. Collecting the plant material intensively for medicinal purposes may be an efficient mechanism to suppress its expansion. The aim of this review study was to assess the medicinal potential of this plant. The most interesting bioactive compounds of S. elaeagnifolium are flavonoids, alkaloids and glycoalkaloids (e.g., solasodine, solamargine). They possess anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activities and cure skin disorders. The glycoalkaloid solamargine, in vitro tested for its effect on different types of melanoma cells, inhibits rapidly, selectively, and effectively the growth of metastatic and primary melanoma cells WM239 and WM115, respectively, with minimal effect on normal and benign WM35 cells. In addition, the mixture of purified solasodine glycoalkaloids, present in the formulation of the cream CuradermBEC5, is effective against non-malignant (keratoses and keratoacanthomas) and malignant skin lesions (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas). S. elaeagnifolium bioactive compounds and their properties to cure bacterial infections, inflammation, skin disorders, and cancer deserve further investigations. The alkaloids particularly need additional researchers’ attention.