Luffa cylindrica
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Luffa cylindrica Common Names: Smooth Loofah, Vegetable Sponge, Sponge
Gourd, Dishcloth Gourd, Egyptian Cucumber Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Cucurbitales Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Luffa Species: L. cylindrica Synonyms: Luffa aegyptiaca Mill., Luffa pentandra Roxb., Luffa operculata Cogn., Momordica cylindrica L. Morphological Description Luffa cylindrica, commonly known as sponge gourd or loofah, is a vigorous, annual
climbing vine in the Cucurbitaceae family. Its key features include: · Habit: Vine with tendrils, reaching 5–30 m in length, supported by
trellises or natural structures. · Stem: Slender, angular, green, slightly pubescent, becoming woody
with age. · Leaves: Alternate, palmately lobed, 10–25 cm across, dark green,
rough-textured, with 5–7 triangular lobes. · Flowers: Large, bright yellow, 5–10 cm wide, monoecious; male flowers
in racemes, female flowers solitary (Partap et al., 2012). · Fruit: Cylindrical pepo, 20–50 cm long, 6–10 cm wide, green when
young, drying to a fibrous, sponge-like structure when mature, containing
numerous black seeds. Distribution and Habitat Luffa cylindrica is native to South and Southeast Asia, likely India, but is
now pantropical due to cultivation and naturalization: · Regions: Widespread in Asia (India, China, Philippines), Africa
(Nigeria, Ghana, Togo), the Americas (Brazil, Mexico), and Oceania. It thrives in warm,
humid climates (25–35°C), preferring well-drained, loamy soils (pH 5.5–6.8)
with full sunlight. It grows in disturbed areas, secondary forests, and along
riverbanks, often as a weed (Partap et al., 2012). Ethnopharmacology Luffa cylindrica, commonly known as sponge gourd or loofah, has
been utilized in traditional medicine for various therapeutic purposes. The
plant exhibits a range of medicinal properties, including antimicrobial,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic effects. Traditionally, it
has been used to treat conditions such as asthma, skin diseases, and splenic
disorders. The seeds of Luffa cylindrica
contain compounds that contribute to its medicinal efficacy. Additionally, the
plant has been applied externally to address issues like shingles and boils,
and its fibrous structure is commonly used as a natural exfoliant in skincare. · Anti-inflammatory: Leaf and fruit extracts in Nigeria treat
edema and skin inflammation. Kao et al. (2012) found Both ethanol and ethyl
acetate extracts from the peel and pulp of Luffa cylindrica were found to
reduce nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7
macrophage cells. Specifically, the ethanol extract also decreased
prostaglandin E₂ secretion. All extracts significantly inhibited interleukin-6
(IL-6) production but did not affect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The ethyl acetate extract from the peel
reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) while
increasing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Additionally, ethyl acetate
extracts from both peel and pulp decreased the expression of phosphorylated
IκBα (p-IκBα), and the pulp extract specifically reduced phosphorylated
extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) expression. However, none of the
extracts inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. · Respiratory Relief: leaves/Fruit decoctions in India alleviate
coughs and asthma. Ingale et al. (2020) study evaluated the anti-asthmatic
properties of a hydroalcoholic extract from Luffa cylindrica leaves (HAELC)
using various experimental models. The extract's effects were tested on
histamine-induced contractions in goat tracheal chains, clonidine-induced
catalepsy, milk-induced eosinophilia, passive paw anaphylaxis, and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced
airway inflammation. Pretreatment with HAELC at doses of 250, 500, and 1000
mg/kg orally resulted in significant inhibition of clonidine-induced catalepsy,
reduction in milk-induced eosinophilia, suppression of passive paw anaphylaxis,
and decreased eosinophil and macrophage counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
(BALF) in the OVA-induced airway inflammation model. Histopathological
examinations indicated that HAELC treatment reduced inflammatory cell
infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia. These findings suggest that HAELC
possesses notable anti-asthmatic activity, potentially due to its
anti-allergic, bronchodilatory, antihistaminic, adaptogenic, and
anti-inflammatory effects, supporting traditional claims regarding Luffa cylindrica's medicinal use. · Antioxidant: Seeds in Pakistan combat oxidative stress. Raut et al. (2021) reported methanolic extract
of Luffa cylindrica (L.) leaves
showed significant scavenging of DPPH radical (46.66 ± 0.002%) and hydrogen
peroxide radical (47.55 ± 0.001%) at 100 μg/ml. ethanolic fruit extract
scavenged DPPH radicals (IC₅₀ 16.89 mg/ml), due to oleanolic acid and
carotenoids. · Anthelmintic: Leaf juice in Guinea treats intestinal worms. Poushali et
al. (2012) study showed that Various extracts
of Luffa cylindrica were evaluated
for their anthelmintic activity against the Indian earthworm, Pheretima
posthuma. Two concentrations, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml, were tested, measuring
the time to induce paralysis and death in the worms. Albendazole at 20 mg/ml
served as the standard reference, while 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose was used
as the control. The study found that all plant extracts exhibited
dose-dependent anthelmintic activity, with the methanolic extract showing the
most potent effect. This research provides the first evidence of the
anthelmintic properties of Luffa cylindrica leaves.. · Anticancer: Leaves in Egypt target breast cancer. Abdel-Salam et al.
(2018) demonstrated aqueous-ethanol leaf extract reduced CD44+/24- cancer stem
cells in vitro, linked to triterpenoids. · Hepatoprotective: Fruit pulp in Togo supports liver health.
El-Fiky et al. (1996) found seed extract (500 mg/kg) lowered blood glucose and
liver enzymes in diabetic rats. Phytochemicals include
flavonoids (luteolin-7-O-glucuronide), triterpenoids (oleanolic acid),
saponins, and phenolic acids (p-coumaric), driving its medicinal efficacy (Ng
et al., 2016; S et al., 2022). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: No acute toxicity observed in rats at 5,000
mg/kg of leaf extract orally over 28 days, but high doses (>1,000 mg/kg) may
cause mild gastrointestinal distress due to saponins. Sap may irritate skin
(Singh & Vellapandian, 2024). Additional Uses · Culinary: Young fruits, rich in vitamin C (20 mg/100g), are cooked as
vegetables in Asia and Africa (Partap et al., 2012). · Household: Mature, dried fruits serve as natural sponges for bathing
and cleaning. · Agricultural: Used as a cover crop for erosion control and soil
improvement via nitrogen fixation (Azeez et al., 2013). · Industrial: Fibers used in filters and soundproofing materials. References
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