Distribution
- Cultivated, not naturalized.
- Cultivated at higher altitudes, especially in the Mountain Province, Luzon, and in the Lanao region in Mindanao.
- Introduced from America.
- Native to Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Bolivia, Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela. (27)

Constituents
• The entire plant contains toxic glycoalkaloids but usually in harmless quantities in the edible tubers. (9)
• Study yielded a gluco-alkaloid, solanine, in the fresh plant, 0.0101 to 0.0489 %; flowers, 0.6 to 0.7 %; unripe fruit, about 1 %; seeds, 0.25 %; tubers and buds, 0.02%; skin, 0.07%, starchy region, 0.002%; shoots, 0.02 to 0.05%.
• Sprouting, growing tubers are considered poisonous, as well as the flowers, unripe seeds, and leaves as they contain solanine. The full-grown tuber does not contain solanine.
• Study isolated putrescine N-methyltransferase, a calystegine,a nortropane alkaloid with glycosidase inhibitory activity. (9)
- Study of fresh unripe fruit yielded α-chaconine, α-solanine, and chlorogenic acid. Aerial parts yielded α-chaconine, α-solanine, aculeatiside A and B. Tubers yielded α-chaconine, α-solanine and protodioscin.   (13)
• Analysis of nutritive value of potatoes, fresh and skin, all varieties, per 100g yielded: (Principle) energy 77 Kcal, carbohydrates 17.49 g, protein 2.05g, cholesterol 0, dietary fiber 2.1g; (Vitamins) folates 15 mcg, niacin 1.061 mg, pantothenic acid 0.278 mg, pyridoxine 0.298 mg, riboflavin 0.032 mg, thiamine 0.081 mg, vitamin A 2 IU, vitamin C 19.7 mg, vitamin K 2 mcg; (Electrolytes) sodium 6 mg, potassium 425 mg; (Minerals) calcium 12 mg, iron 0.81 mg, magnesium 23 mg, manganese 0.141 mg, phosphorus 57 mg, zinc 0.30 mg; (Phytonutrients) carotene-ß 4 mcg, cryto-xanthin-ß 0 mcg, lutein-xanthin 21 mcg. (USDA National Nutrient data base) (16)

Properties
• Antiscorbutic, aperient, diuretic, galactagogue, stimulant, emollient, antidote, antispasmodic.
• Considered a nervous sedative and stimulant in gout.
• Leaves believed to be poisonous.
• Studies have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, antiobesity, anti-bacterial adhesion, anticonvulsant, corrosive inhibition, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, mosquito larvicidal, anticancer, wound healing, antiacne, antifungal properties.

Uses
Edibility / Nutritional
- Very high starch content; valuable as an energy-giving food.
- Potatoes grown in Baguio are deficient in calcium, and only fair sources of iron.
- Good source of fiber, vitamins B and C, and minerals.
- Peels are high in potassium.
- Although foliage is considered poisonous, some African tribes used the tip as a potherb. (20)
Folkloric
- Gently laxative, but non-purging.
- Promotes milk.
- Useful for gout.
- Potato-peel tea for hypertension.
- Poultice of leaves as a tonic.
- Used for scurvy, dyspepsia, hyperacidity, gout and arthritis.
- Decoction of leaves for chronic cough.
- Potato, ground to a paste, applied as a plaster to burns caused by fire.
- Poultice of grated raw potato used for light burns, arthritis, itching, etc.
- Boiled potatoes used as emollient poultices.
- Used as antidote to poisoning by iodine.
- Extract of leaves used as an antispasmodic in chronic coughs, producing opium-like effects. Extract also used as a narcotic.
- In Tanzania, raw potato tubers are squeezed and juice applied as eye drops to improve poor vision.   (12)
- In traditional medicine of Europe, raw potatoes are used for gastrointestinal disorders, and topical potato preparations are used as hot packs for pain or for softening of furuncles. (19)
- Tea prepared from peels of tubers used as folk remedy for tumors. Boiled tuber used to alleviate corns. Powdered tuber, with copper sulfate, used to help callused fistulas. Europeans used to tie raw potatoes behind the ears for delirium. (20)
- Juice prepared from tubers used for treatment of peptic ulcers. Warm juice applied to rheumatic joints. swellings, skin rashes, hemorrhoids. Peeled uncooked potatoes pounded and applied as a cold soothing plaster to burns and scalds. In India, potato skins used to treat swollen gums and burns. (21)
- Raw potato cataplasm used for burns, frostbite, cracks, ulcers, swelling of eyelids. (21)
Others
- Fodder: Potato surplus used for fodder. Animals fed large residues of raw or cooked potato or "distiller's slop" develop a potato eruption. (see toxicity below)
- Alcohol: Boiled with weak sulfuric acid, potato starch is changed into glucose fermented into alcohol, "British Brandy." (20)
- Cleaner: Ripe potato juice excellent for cleaning cottons, silk, and woolens. (20) Water in which potatoes were boiled can be used to clean silver and restore shine to furniture.
- Cosmetics: (1) Facial mask: The National Potato Board has recommended using peeled, shredded, and soaked potatoes as a facial mask for drying oily skin. (2) Anti-aging: Washing the face daily with potato juice (raw potato ground with water) may prevent wrinkles on the face and make the face glow. (3) Skin cleanser and revitalizer. (4) Potato water used for removing freckles. AzelIc acid from potato is alleged to inhibit tyrosinase activity to reduce pigmentation spotting related to breakouts, treats mild to moderate acne, reduced bacterial growth in the follicles. (21)

Studies
• Antioxidant: A 2006 study of commonly consumed roots crops in the Philippines – Kamote (Ipomoea batata); ubi, purple yam (Dioscorea alata); cassava (Manihot esculenta); taro or gabi (Colocasia esculenta); carrot (Daucus carota); yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) showed them to be rich sources of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, highest in sweet potato, followed by taro, potato, purple yam and lowest in the carrot. (2)
• Anticonvulsant: A study showed potato juice exerted significant anticonvulsant activity in mice. It suggests that potato juice, as well as potato, may influence brain GABA-activity. (1)
• Teratological and Toxicological Studies: Study was done on the effects of acute and chronic administration in pregnant and non pregnant rats of alkaloidal, glycoalkaloidal and phenolic compounds from Solanum tuberosum. None of the compounds produced neural tube defects; a few fetuses had rib abnormalities. (4)
• Antiobesity of New Purple Potato Variety: Study of a purple potato variety showed anti-obesity potential via inhibition of lipid metabolism through p38 MAPK and UCP-3 pathways.
• Anti-Adhesion / Antimicrobial Properties: A study showed S tuberosum has the potential of interfering with the adhesion of oral bacteria. Also, S tuberosum methanolic extract showed a greater then 25 mg/ml MIC value against S epidermis, S typhi and B subtilis. (6)
• Antioxidant / Peels: Study investigated in-vitro hydroxyl and NO, DPPH radical scavenging activities and total phenolic content of S. tuberosum peel extracts. Results showed an ethyl acetate extract to contain higher amounts of polyphenolic contents compared to the methanol extract. DPPH radical scavenging activity was dose-dependent . (7)
• Corrosion Inhibition: Study of an acid extract of Solanum tuberosum showed potential as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel which may be due to adsorption of alkaloids and other phytoconstituents. (8)
• Putrescine N-Methyltransferase: Potatoes yield calystegines, nortropane alkaloids with glycosidase inhibitory activity. Based on calystegine formation by the tropane alkaloid pathway, study investigated PMT genes and enzymes. Sprouting tubers contain both N-methylputrescine and PMT activity. Results confirm potato genes and enzymes specific for the tropane alkaloid metabolism are expressed and active. (9)
• Antibacterial / Peel: Study investigated the in vitro antibacterial effects of S. tuberosum ethanol extract of peels. Results showed antibacterial properties more pronounced on gram-positive bacteria, especially S. aureus. (10)
• Anti-Ulcer / Tubers: Study evaluated the potential of S. tuberosum for anti-ulcer activity in pylorus-ligation model and stress-induced ulcers by cold water immersion. Results showed both alcoholic extracts and aqueous extracts of tubers possess anti-ulcer activity. Phytoconstituents tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenes reported to have anti-ulcer activity were present in both extracts. LD50 was 2000 mg/kg body weight. (11)
• Solanine / Antibacterial / Leaves: Study isolated solanine from leaves of potato plant leaves. The solanine showed effective inhibition against Bacillus subtilis and slight inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. (15)
• Effect on Organ Weight and Hepatic Oxidative Stress in Obese Rats / Peel or Pulp: Study evaluated the effect of consumption of peel flour or pulp flour on accumulation of adipose tissue, organ weight, and oxidative stress in the liver of obese Holtzman rats. Enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were measure in the liver. Obese rats that consumed the pulp of Yungay potato variety had less oxidative stress in the liver. (17)
• Wound Healing / Ointment Formulation / Peel and Pulp of Tubers: Study evaluated the healing activity of an ointment formulation prepared from ethanolic extracts of peel and pulp of tubers on wounds induced in mice. Results showed treated groups had better evidence of wound closure and scarring in the histopathological analysis. The 2% ointment formulation showed most effective results. (18)
• Potato-Derived Products / Review: Study reviewed the literature and summarized data on medicinal use of potato-derived products. Five trials were identified: two open uncontrolled studies two open controlled studies and one double-blind study. Results stimulate further studies of oral juice concentrate in patients with dyspeptic conditions, of potato proteinase inhibitor II for weight reduction, and topical potato proteins for preventing protease-induced perianal dermatitis. Review suggests studies with confirmatory design. (19)
• Potato Masks / Topical Therapy for Acne: Study evaluated the use of potatoes as external anti-acne agent. Potato masks are prepared from potatoes which are mashed with a blender to a porridge state. Results showed the use of potato masks can result in reduction of mild acne on facial skin. (22)
• Antifungal / Peels: Study evaluated the antifungal activity of crude glycoalkaloid extract (concentration 833.33 microgram/mL) from Solanum tuberosum L. (white potato) peelings against opportunistic fungi Candida albicans, C. glabrata, Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, and A. flavus. The extract showed an MIC of 104.17 microgram/mL for A. flavus, verifying the antifungal effect of glycoalkaloid. (23)
• α-Solanine / Toxicity, Teratogenicity / Anticancer Potential: α-Solanine is a glycoakaloid metabolite produced by solanaceae species. It is highly toxic to animals and humans and is a risk factor for developing congenital malformations. Recent studies have suggested α-solanine possess antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities. Review summarizes the main properties of α-solanine, toxicity and teratogenicity in animal models, and reported anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines in invitro assays. (25)
• Gingival Wound Healing / Peel Extract Gel: Study evaluated the effect of potato peel extract gel Granola variety on oral gingival wound healing in Wistar rats. Surgical vertical incisions were made on the mandibular gingiva. Treatment groups included base gel as negative control group, 1% povidone-iodine solution, triamcinolone acetonide oral paste, and 2, 4, and 6% potato peel extract gel. Notably, the application of 4% and 6% gel formulations facilitated faster wound healing on day 3, surpassing povidone-iodine and triamcinolone groups. By days 7 and 14, the povidone-iodine group and 6% formulation group demonstrated superior outcomes, although differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Results suggest peel extract get has excellent potential for development as alternative medicine for natural and safe wound healing therapy. (28)
• Bioactive Compounds of Potato Juice / Review: Potato juice (PJ) is a by-product of the starch production process and contains all the constituents of potato tubers except starch and fiber. PJ os a valuable raw product not only because of its high nutritional value but, above all, for its biological activity that can facilitate treatment of certain gastrointestinal diseases. Review includes the medical potential of PJ, which includes antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiobesity, antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and antihypertensive activities of various juice constituents. (29)
• Mosquito Larvicidal on Aedes aegypti / Peel Extract: Millions of people die each year from Malaria alone. Study evaluated the larvicidal potential of green potato (Solanum tuberosum) peel extract on 4th instar Aedes larvae in concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5%. Positive control was Baygon spray and negative control, distilled water. Results showed mean mortality of 0.80%, 5.60%, and 8.00% for the three concentrations, respectively. The extract showed larvicidal properties with threshold concentration postulated between 0.1% and 0.3%. Larvicidal effect was attributed most likely to alkaloid compounds in the peel. (30)
• Immunologic Basis of Anti-Ulcer Effect: Polysaccharides are complex molecules with a wide range of biological activities. Study evaluated the antiulcer effect and influence of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine of S. tuberosum polysaccharide (STP). STP effect was evaluated on the ulcer index in Wistar rats, comparing it to omeprazole and ranitidine. STP appeared to modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, with significant decrease in levels of IL-1b and IFN-y and significant increase in cytokine IL-4 in the polysaccharide group. Results suggest intravenous administration of STP led to restoration of functionality and effective tissue regeneration. The antiulcer activity of STP was attributed to regulation of pro-and anti-inflammatory balance. (31)
• Ointment Effect on Second-Degree Burns: Study evaluated the effects of S. tuberosum ointment on second-degree burns induced in Balb/c mice (mus musculus). Results showed ointments based on ethanolic extracts of S. tuberosum, especially the 2% ointment, might accelerate healing of second-degree burns induced in mice. (32)
• Effect of Boiling on Nutritional Value, Phytoconstituents, and Antioxidant Activity: Study of two commonly consumed potato varieties in Bangladesh: Lal Sheel and Diamant, showed boiling increased moisture and crude fiber contents, while as, crude lipid, carbohydrate, and protein contents decreased in the two varieties tested. Both varieties contained considerable amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins that were all significantly decreased after boiling. Like phytochemicals, antioxidant activity decreased after boiling, as measured by FRAP, reducing power, DPPH assays. While vitamin C content was good, vitamins A, B1, B2, and essential minerals including iron, zinc, copper, all relatively low, were decreased after boiling. Despite the negative impacts of boiling, both varieties retained good amounts of nutrients and antioxidant activity, suggesting beneficial foodstuffs for health. (33)
• Anti-Aging / Stimulation of Collagen Synthesis / Potato Peel: The ability of dermal fibroblasts to synthesis collagen decreases with age. Collagen fiber integrity is severely decreased in aged skin, causing morphological changes of wrinkling and sagging. Study evaluated the effects of potato peel extract (PPE) against skin aging, its effects on synthesis of type I collagen by normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). PPE treatment significantly increase expression of type I collagen mRNA in NHDFs and secretion of type I collagen. Results showed PPE activates P13K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signals via TGF-ß receptors, which stimulate synthesis of type I collagen in NHDFs. Study suggests PPE has potential as novel and effective antiaging material. (34)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Anticancer Potential / Research Gap for ()SCC) Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma / Review: The review focused on studies that investigated the anticancer or anti-inflammatory effects of glycoalkaloids or anthocyanins from S. tuberosum in vitro or in vivo. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Treatment with glycoalkaloids (1-50 µM) or anthocyanins (10-200 µg/mL) demonstrated pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic effects. No study evaluated the compounds in OSCC models. Glycoalkaloids and anthocyanins exhibited promising anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties in various types of cancer. The absence of OSCC-focused research highlights a significant gap and warrants further studies to evaluated the therapeutic and preventive potential of the compounds for oral cancer. (36)

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