Solasodine

Solasodine (Purapuridine) is a steroidal alkaloid that occurs in plants of the Solanaceae family. Solasodine induces apoptosis by inhibiting the p53-MDM2 complex, p21Waf1/Cip1, and Bcl-2 proteins. Solasodine has neuroprotective, antifungal, hypotensive, anticancer, antiatherosclerotic, antiandrogenic and anti-inflammatory activities^[1][2][3]. In Vitro:Solasodine (90 μM; 2 days) treatment displays significant sprouting in P19 cells. Solasodine induces strong expression of the different neuronal markers studied, including βIII-tubulin, synaptophysin, MAP2, ChAT, and neuroblast marker doublecortin. Solasodine induces the differentiation of P19 cells, essentially towards the neuronal pathway^[1]. In Vivo:Solasodine (25-100?mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection; once) treatment significantly delays latency of hind limb tonic extensor (HLTE) phase in the PCT-induced convulsions. And significantly potentiates Thiopental-provoked sleep in a dose-dependent manner. Solasodine has anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activities^[2].
Solasodine (375 μM; i.c.v.; for 2 weeks) treatment results a significant increase in bromodeoxyuridine uptake by cells of the ependymal layer, subventricular zone, and cortex that co-localized with doublecortin immunostaining. Solasodine treatment in rats results in a dramatic increase in expression of the cholesterol- and drug-binding translocator protein in ependymal cells^[1].