Growth, phytochemical and gene expression changes related to the secondary metabolite synthesis of Solanum viarum Dunal

•Prickled and prickleless plants were profiled for steroidal alkaloids and phenolics under in vitro and field conditions.•Prickleless plants showed higher growth and metabolite contents in comparison to prickled plant.•The accumulation of metabolites in a tissue-specific manner corroborates with the expression of biosynthetic pathway genes.•The leaves and roots of prickleless plants can be harvested for pharmaceutical benefit.