Eggplant, the fruit of Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), is applied externally to relieve the symptoms of
chilblains in the folk in East Asia. However, the mechanisms and biological
ingredients are not clear. A network pharmacology approach was used
to shed light on the mechanisms of eggplant against chilblains, which
illustrated that anti-inflammation and antioxidation are mainly involved
in the curative effects. Bioassay-guided assays led to the isolation
of 44 ingredients (1–44), including
two new natural compounds (1–2) and
42 known compounds. Thirteen compounds (3–15) were
first reported from the Solanum genus.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of all isolates were
evaluated, and the results showed that 11 compounds have anti-inflammatory
activity and 27 have antioxidant activity. Fatty acids, flavonoids,
alkaloids, phenolic acids, saponins, and lignans from eggplant have
certain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These results provide
a scientific basis for eggplant to treat chilblains.