The steroidal alkaloids α-tomatine and tomatidine: Panorama of their mode of action and pharmacological properties.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of preclinical and in vitro experimental mechanisms.
PubMed 34695457 · doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2021.108933
What was done
This review analyzed published experimental literature concerning the pharmacological activities, molecular targets, and signaling pathways of the tomato-derived steroidal glycoalkaloid alpha-tomatine and its aglycone tomatidine.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, sample sizes, or effect sizes. Qualitatively, it reports that in experimental models, alpha-tomatine exhibits anticancer activity (notably against androgen-independent prostate cancer), robust antifungal effects, cholesterol-binding capacity useful for vaccine adjuvant delivery, and regulation of the NF-kB/ERK pathway. Tomatidine is reported as less cytotoxic, with antiviral effects against dengue, chikungunya, and porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses, cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects in human cells, and direct targeting of sterol C24 methyltransferase Erg6 and the vitamin D receptor. Both compounds show anti-inflammatory activity.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes the mechanistic pathways of tomato alkaloids, outlining potential applications as chemo-preventive agents, therapeutics, or vaccine adjuvants.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative data, error margins, or clinical trials in humans. All cited evidence comes from preclinical and in vitro models, leaving human bioavailability, safety, therapeutic efficacy, and optimal dosing unmeasured.
Cited by
- supports Tomatidine is highly concentrated in green tomatoes, and its concentration declines dramatically as the tomato turns red.