The family Solanaceae features many popular vegetable crops, mainly
belonging to its three major genera Solanum, Capsicum, and Physalis. They have
played an important role in human nutrition and health since ancient times, most of
them being native to South and Central America, but nowadays domesticated
worldwide. Edible fruit, leaves, tubers as well as non-edible plant parts are a valuable
source of often unique compounds with multiple biological activities. Despite
numerous studies and intensive research, there are still novel compounds being
discovered from both cultivated and wild species, that could bring more benefits into
treatment of civilisation diseases not only as part of pharmaceutical products, but also
as functional foods important in everyday prevention of health problems, especially
those related to oxidative stress. Apart from the edible parts, the organic waste from
production of these vegetables is a useful source of bioactive substances and extracts
that can be used both in the food and pharmaceutical industry. In this chapter, the most
important species from three genera are described in detail with emphasis being given
on the research studies published within the last two decades. Major bioactive
constituents representing each genus and biological activity of extracts and individual
compounds, with special attention to the most interesting findings regarding
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, are also discussed in the
corresponding subsections.
Keywords: Biological activity, Chilli, Capsaicinoids, Capsinoids, Capsanthin,
Capsicum, Eggplant, Lutein, Lycopene, Nightshade vegetables, Physalis, Pepper,
Physalins, Solanum, Steroidal alkaloids, Solamargine, Solanine, Tomato,
Tomatine, Withanolides.
