INTRODUCTION:

Plants play a vital role from ancient times where man used plant as a source of drug or drug itself to cure various diseases. About 6000 species of medicinal plants in India have high potential values unfortunately; very few of them were studied chemically and pharmacologically for their medicinal benefit. Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb called as ridge gourd, angled gourd or angled Luffa is one of the potential herbs found in Asia. Luffa acutangula is a large climber, commonly cultivated and sometimes found wild in Northwest India and Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Tamil Nadu regions.

Pharmacognosy:

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Cucurbitales

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Sub Family: Cucurbitoidea

Tribe: Benincasea

Sub tribe: Luffinae

Genus: Luffa

Species: acutangula

Vernacular names [1]:

Bengali: Zinga, Sataputi, Ghosha-lata.

English: Ribbed gourd, Ridge gourd.

Gujarat: Turiya, Kadawa.

Hindi: Turai, satputia.

Kannada: Hire- Valli.

Malayalam: Peerkam Kai.

Marathi: Dodka turiya, Shirola.

Orissa: Tarada.

Punjabi: Jhinga, Turiya.

Tamil: Peerkku.

Telugu: Beera, Chedu beeha, Varri beera.

Description:

Macroscopic: Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb is a large climber.

Roots: Tortuous, cylindrical, rough, at places exhibiting swollen scars left by removal of lateral roots, longitudinally ridged, striated, length variable, 0.3-0.7 cm thick, plae yellowish brown; fracture fibrous, fractured surface plae yellowish white and porous. Odour not characteristic; taste slightly bitter and astringent.

Stem: Slender, 5 to 7 angled, internodes 8-12 cm in length and 0.5-1 cm in diameter, longitudinally ridged and grooved, scabrid, fracture fibrous, nodes prominent, crowded with thin, spirally twinning and tendrils which are usually three branched. Odour not characteristic, taste slightly bitter and astringent.

Leaf: Simple, alternate, palmately reticulate, 5 to 7 sublobate, orbicular, 10-20cm long, 8-10 cm broad, sinuate and dentate, acute to subacute, base cordate, scabrib on both surfaces, veins prominent on the lower and obscure on the upper, petiole cylindrical, 4-10 cm in length and 1 to 2 mm in diameter, longitudinally ridged and scabrid, pale greenish brown. Odour not characteristic, taste slightly bitter and astringent.

Flower: Flower unisexual, male inflorescence, axillary, 10-20 flowered, racemes 20 -22 cm in length, yellow, calyx and corolla 5 lobed, sepals and petals 5, stamens 3, female flower solitary, yellow, in the same axil, ovary inferior and ribbed, stigma trifid.

Fruit: Pepo, 15-25 cm long and 3-5 cm in diameter, cylindrical or club shaped, tapering towards lower distal end and with obtuse apex, surface shows 10 prominent narrowly angled longitudinally running ribs. Taste mucilaginous and bland; odour slight.

Seed: Ovate to oblong, dorsiventrally flattened, 0.7 to 1.2 cm long and 0.4 – 0.6 cm wide, slightly corrugated on edges, colour chocolate brown to black.

Distribution: Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb cultivated throughout India [2].

Habit: Herb.

Flowering and Fruiting: September-November.

Medicinal parts: Fruits, stem, seeds.

Cultivation: Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb can be grown in all type of soils and can be grown in summer or monsoon. Seeds can be sown either in Febrauary-March or June-July.

Standards [3]:

· Total ash content: not more than 16%.

· Acid insoluble ash content: not more than 4%.

· Foreign matter: not more than 2%.

· Water soluble extract: not more than 13%.

· Alcohol soluble extract: not more than 6%.

General aspects:

Themotolerance:

In 2017, Zhou et al reported the thermotolerance of Luffa acutangula seedlings and their physical stress to heat. The study was carried out to identify the thermotolerance of Luffa acutangula thirty-two varieties were screened, and the physiological response to heat stress with different heat resistance, such as WB121(tolerant), WB105 (susceptible) and YL8(intermediate). From the results it was known that among 32 luffa varieties 3 species were heat –tolerant, 4heat-susceptible, and 25 intermediate varieties. The relative conductivity (RS), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble sugar (SC) in three varieties gradually increased with the prolongation of heat stress [4].

Mechanical property:

In 2017, Muhammad Fakhrurazi et al studied the mechanical properties of Luffa acutangula – filled Polypropylene. In this study, treated and untreated fibers of Luffa acutangula were loaded as fillers for polypropylene at 1%, 3% and 5% loading. The study revealed that on increasing the fiber loading of the composites, the tensile and impact strength of untreated luffa –filled polypropylene was found to be increased but the tensile and impact strenghth of alkali treated luffa – filled polypropylene was found to be decreased [5].

Natural biosorbent:

In 2016, Hon Wei et al reported that Luffa acutangula acts as a natural biosorbent for malachite green removal in aqueous media: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic investigations [6].

Phytochemistry:

Chemical constituents:

In 2017, Suryanti V et al reported the phytochemical screening conducted on ethanol extract of Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb’s fruit revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, carotenoids and terpenoids and the absence of flavonoids, tannins and anthraquinones. The GC-MS of the analysis Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb’s fraction resulted in the identification of six compounds. The compounds identified were found to be 2,3-dihydro, 3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-(4H)-pyran-4-one; 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol; (3 beta, 20R)-cholest -5-en-3-ol; n-hexadecanoic acid; 9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester and citronellylytiglate [7].

In 2016, Taruna et al, carried out the Green synthesis and physico-chemical study ractof silver nanoparticles extracted from a natural source Luffa acutangula. In this paper, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the aqueous extract of Luffa acutangula were prepared by green synthesis and characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antimicrobial activities of the synthesized AgNPs were also investigated against Escherichia coli and saccharomyces cerevisiae. Further, the physico-chemical behaviour of AgNPs have been explained in order to explore the strength as well as nature of the interactions between AgNPs and various solvents by deriving thermodynamic parameters [8].

In 2016, Swetha M.P and Muthukumar M.P, reported the characterization of nutrients, amino acids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity of Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) peel. The study revealed that Luffa acutangula was observed to be a good source of fiber (20.6%) and minerals (7.7%). The study also revealed that, a significant amount of phenolic acids like p-coumaric acid (68.64 mg/100 g of dry weight) followed by gallic acid (34.98 mg/100 g of dry weight), protocatechuic acid (30.52 mg/100 g of dry weight) in free from and ferulic acid (13.04 mg/100 g of dry weight) in bound form was present [9].

In 2015, vanajothi et al carried out the bioassay-guided isolation and identification of bioactive compound from aerial parts of Luffa acutangula against lung cancer cell line NCI-H460. In this study, the bioactive compound of ethanolic extract of Luffa acutangula (LA) was isolated using bioassay-guided approach. Five major fractions were collected and evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity against non-small cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H460). Among the test fractions, the fraction LA/FII effectively decreased the growth of cancer cells with IC50 values of 10 mg/ml concentration. Furthermore, it significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. The apoptogenic activity of fraction LA/FII was confirmed by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies. A single bioactive compound was isolated from the active fraction, LA/FII and subsequently identified as dihydroxy-4-methylanthracene 9,10-dione (compound 1) by comparing its spectral data [Ultraviolet (UV), Infrared (IR), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectroscopy (ESI-MS)] with literature values [10].

In 2002, Lin et al isolated and purified two ribosome – inactivating proteins luffaculin-1 and luffaculin-2 from the seeds of Luffa acutangula by extraction with Nacl solution, ammonium sulphate fractional precipitation, CM-52 cellulose ion exchange chromatography and reverse phase capillary liquid chromatography [11].

In 1991, Nagao T et al studied the constituents present in the seeds of Luffa acutangula. The study revealed the presence of two 3,28-O-bisdesmosidic heptaglycosides of oleanolic acid, named acutosides H and I and from the herb seven oleanane-type triterpene saponins, acutosides A-G, were isolated and their structures were determined [12].

In 1985, Salma SH et al reported the physic chemical properties of Luffa acutangula seed. The study revealed the presence of oil 25.8% and the fatty acid composition (amount by weight) of this oil is linoleic (33.56%), oleic (24.42%), palmitic (23.09%), stearic (9.84%), myristic (1.48%), lauric (1.78%) and other unidentified acids (3.32%) [13].

In 1958, Barua AK et al conducted the chemical examination of the seeds of Luffa acutangula. The study revealed presence of a crystalline bitter principle cucurbitacin B and an acid sapogenin, oleanolic acid [14].

Mineral contents:

In 2017, Singh et al studied the heterosis for quantative traits and mineral contents in ridge gourd. From the study it is evident that ridge guord contains Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc and Manganese [15].

In 2012, Wang et al determined the elements present in the leaves of Luffa acutangula using high pressure microwave digestion and ICP-AES. It was found that leaf samples of Luffa acutangula contained high concentrations of Ca, P, Mg and the contents of Mn, Fe and K were relatively high. The contents of Na, Al, Zn, B and Cu were medium, while the Ni, Pb and Cd contents were very low, and Se and Co were absent [16].

Pharmacological aspects:

Antimicrobial activity:

In 2012, a study on antimicrobial activity activity of extracts of fruits of Luffa acutangula was carried out by Torvi et al. The phytochemical investigation of the present study revealed the presence of sterols and glycosides in chloroform extract. The chloroform extract showed significant antimicrobial activity than aqueous extract of Luffa acutangula [17].

Antioxidant activity:

In 2015, Suryanti V et al reported the antioxidant activity, total phenolics and flavonoids contents of Luffa acutangula fruit. The results obtained from the study provided enough evidence that Luffa acutangula fruit could be potential rich source of natural antioxidant used for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical product [18].

In 2012, Ananthan et al analysed the pulp, peel of Luffa acutangula for antioxygenic activity on peroxidation models. In this study different antioxygenic methods were used to evaluate the potential of pulp and peel powder of Luffa acutangula using various solvent fractions. Ridge gourd pulp powder and its extract was found to exhibit higher antioxygenic activity compared to ridge gourd peel powder and its extract [19].

In 2011, Reddy P et al reported the protective role exhibited by the methanolic extract of fruits of Luffa acutangula against t-BHP induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes. Antioxidant property of the hexane, methanolic and aqueous extract was investigated by DPPH free radical method and methanolic extract was found to be active by a comparative estimation [20].

Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic activity:

In 2011, Gill NS et al analysed the potential of seeds of Luffa acutangula for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activity. In this study carrageean induced rat paw edema methods for anti-inflammatory,hydrogen peroxide for antioxidant and tail flick and immersion methods for analgesic activity was carried out. The results provided enough evidence that the seeds of Luffa acutangula posses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activity [21].

Abortifacient activity:

In 2011, in vivo studies in rats for abortifacient activity were conducted to evaluate the abortifacient potential of Luffa acutangula. The study revealed that Luffa acutangula possess abortifacient activity by observing number of implantation sites on the uterine homs, live and dead foetuses, corpora lutea and number of fetal resorptions [22].

Anti-tumour activity:

In 2015, Dashora N and Chauhan LS performed the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti tumour activity of Luffa acutangula against Dalton’s Lymphoma ascites (DLA) cells bearing mice. The study revealed that the ethanolic and aqueous extract exhibits antioxidant activity determined by in vitro models. The study also revealed that the aqueous extract of Luffa acutangula at both (200 and 400 m/kg) and ethanolic extract at 400 mg/kg dose showed potent anti cancer activity [23].

Antiulcer activity:

In 2012, Pimple BP et al studied the protective potential exhibited by Luffa acutangula extract against gastric ulceration in Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus rats. Role of gastric mucosal proteins and antioxidants were also analysed. In this study methanolic and aqueos extract of Luffa acutangula was compared for its gastroprotective effect on type II diabetes rats. From the results obtained from the study, methanolic extract of Luffa acutangula was concluded to be better alternative for treating ulcers occurring with diabetes [24].

Antibacterial activity:

In 2012, Mustarichie R et al assayed the antibacterial activity of Luffa acutangula against some pathogenic bacteria. In this study fruit powder of Luffa acutangula was macerated with methanol and sequentially extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol and a comparative study was carried out. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography was carried out to identify different class of compounds. Fom the study it is evident that methanolic extract was active against P.aeruginosa, E. Coli, B. Subtilis and S.aureus but not active enough to inhibit the growth of the E.aerogenes, S.dysentriae and S.thypi. The study also revealed that ethyl acetate extract exhibited highest antibacterial activity against P.aeruginosa, E.coli, B.sublitis and S.aureus and contains phenolics, condensed tannins, flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids [25].

Ameliorative effect:

In 2013, Jadhav et al reported the ameliorative effect of Luffa acutangula on Doxorubicin induced cardiac and nephrotoxicity in mice. The study reports the protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Luffa acutangula on doxorubicin induced cardio and nephro toxicity in mice by studying various serum biomarkers, antioxidant in target organs and histoarchitecture alterations [26].

Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic activity:

In 2009, Reddy BP et al carried out a study to evaluate the possibility of fruit of Luffa acutangula as a anticancer agent by examining the antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. The fruit methanolic extract was partially purified by chromatography. The methanolic extract showed significant antiproliferative activity on human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line. The study also revealed that fruit methanolic extract of Luffa acutangula possess antiangiogenic activity by evaluating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-9) as in-vitro, chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as in-vivo model for VEGF [27].

Antidiabetic activity:

In 2011, Pimple BP et al reported the antidiabetic activity of fruits of Luffa acutangula against streptozoccin induced Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in rats. In this study methanolic and aqueous extract was prepared and compared and methanolic extract was found to possess potent andiabetic activity in management of disease and its associated lipid balance [28].

Cytotoxic activity:

In 2014, Nipun et al carried out the in vitro studies to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Luffa acutangula against human neuronal glioblastoma cells (U343) and human lung cancer cells (A549). Screening of these extracts was done using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, MTT assay and SRB assay. The results showed the significant decrease of the viability of the cells in a concentration-dependant manner. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Luffa acutangula showed significant cytotoxic activity in both MTT and SRB assay. From the study it evident that in brine shrimp lethality bioassay aqueous extract of Luffa acutangula was found to be morent in compared to ethanolic extract [29].

Hepatoprotective activity:

In 2017, Mishra et al carried out the in vivo and ex vivo evaluation of Luffa acutangula fruit extract. In this study alcoholic extract of fruits of Luffa acutangula which was previously reported for its hepatoprotective activity was fractionated into three parts to chemically identify the most potent bioactive fraction. The hepatoprotective potential of the fraction prepared from extract was studied in vivo in rats as well as ex vivo in isolated hepatocytes against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective activity was determined on the basis of their effects on parameters like direct bilirubin, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. From the study ethyl acetate fraction was found to be the active fraction for hepatoprotective activity of Luffa acutangula fruit [30].

In 2013, Gupta K et al reported the hepatoprotective potential of Luffa acutangula seeds by using carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. The study provided enough evidence of showing hepatoprotective against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity [31].

In 2010, Ulaganathan et al carried out the carbon tetra chloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of leaves of Luffa acutangula. Biochemical markers were investigated and histopathological examination was conducted in rat liver sections. From the study it is evident that Luffa acutangula leaves extract have potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats [32].

In 2010, jadhav et al reported the hepatoprotective activity of fruits of Luffa acutangula against CCl₄and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Serum biochemical estimation and histopathological examination of rat liver sections were conducted. The study revealed that fruits of Luffa acutangula possess hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride and rifampicin induced hepatic damage in rats [33].

Immunomodulatory activity:

In 2014, Mohan et al reported the free radical scavenging, immunomodulatory activity and chemical composition of Luffa acutangula. In this study bioactive ethanol extract was evaluated for immunomodulatory activity by in vivo phagocytosis using carbon clearance and neutrophil adhesion test. The study revealed the presence of plant phenolics and its potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity [34].

Larvicidal activity:

In 2007, Mullai K et al reported the larvicidal efficacy of leaf extract of Luffa acutangula against late third larval instar of Aedes aegypti using four different solvents that is ethyl acetate, benzene, petroleum ether and methanol. In this study the eggs of Aedes aegypti was tested for ovicidal activity and were exposed to different concentrations of leaf extract ranging from 100 ppm to 600 ppm. The study revealed that the leaf extract of Luffa acutangula serves as a potential larvicide [35].

Toxicity Studies:

In 2012, Arunachalam A et al reported the toxicological studies of ethanol extract of Luffa acutangula in wistar albino rats. In this study acute and chronic toxicity study was carried out on the whole plant of Luffa acutangula. From the results of the study the ethanolic extract of Luffa acutangula was found to be non-toxic in rats when administered orally in doses up to 2000 mg/kg. The onset of toxicity and signs of toxicity was found to be absent [36].

CONCLUSION:

From the review of the existing work, it was concluded that Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb has been used in the treatment of various diseases and reported to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, abortifacient, anti-tumour, antiulcer, antibacterial, ameliorative, antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and larvicidal activities. In the recent year's traditional medicines received more attention and evaluated for its efficacy and generally, they are safe for human beings. Numerous phytochemical and pharmacological studies have been conducted on different parts of the Luffa acutangula. Further investigation to explore the therapeutic action of the individual phytochemicals and their mechanism of action can be encouraged.

Authors contribution:

All the author have contributed equally.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS:

Declared none

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Received on 31.01.2019 Modified on 21.02.2019

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2019; 12(5):2553-2558.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2019.00429.3