Solanum vegetables as potential neuroprotective functional foods in Alzheimer's disease management: A unifying mechanism

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-etiological neurological condition that requires a holistic therapeutic approach in its management. In view of this functional foods and nutraceuticals have become --promising candidates in AD research. This is because functional foods and nutraceuticals have a multitherapeutic approach including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuromodulatory, and memory enhancing properties. In this regard, Solanum vegetables, particularly leaves of African eggplant ( Solanum macrocarpon L, AE) and Black nightshade ( Solanum nigrum L, BN) have been shown to posses' neuroprotective properties via multiple therapeutic mechanisms. These vegetables have garnered attention as promising functional-food candidates whose bioactive constituents warrant further investigation for neuroprotective applications. They serve as a rich source of bioactive neuroprotective phytochemicals such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. This review, therefore, examined the updated neurobehavioral, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of the neuroprotective effects of AE and BN, specifically in the management of AD. This review will further underscore the neuroprotective potentials of functional foods, particularly as promising candidates for the management of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.