Effects of Solanum malacoxylon extract on rachitic chicks. Comparative study with vitamin D3.

A comparative study of the effects of vitamin D3 and of a partially purified extract of Solanum malacoxylon has been carried out in rachitic chicks. Vitamin D3 and Solanum malacoxylon increased intestinal calcium absorption and serum calcium levels. They normalized the bone water and ash content. Vitamin D3 produced an increase of serum phosphate while Solanum malacoxylon further decreased the already low phosphate values. Vitamin D3 significantly increased the body weight increment of rachitic chicks, but Solanum malacoxylon did not. It appears that Solanum malacoxylon duplicates certain actions of vitamin D but lacks its phosphate-regulating and growth-promoting actions.