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Traditional And Medicinal Uses Of Luffa cylindrica : A Review

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  • Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo. Nigeria and University of Science Malaysia, Nibong Tebal. Malaysia.

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Luffa cylindrical, otherwise known as Sponge gourd is a fibrous plant with fruits containing black seeds. Luffa plant is a curcurbit with other members including snake gourd, pumpkins and cucumbers. It grows as a flowering annual vine with pollinated flowers developing into cylindrical green fruits filled with seeds in a system of many intertwined cellulose fibres. The fruit is edible especially when young and it contains group of compounds such as phenolics, lavonoids, oleanolic acid, ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol, carotenoids, chlorophylls, triterpenoids and ribosome-inactivating proteins, which makes it highly effective when used for medicinal purpose. Luffa cylindrical contains chemical components that have effects on hypersensitivity reactions, serve as immunostimulant, antiinflamatory agent and function in glycosidase activity, inhibit protein synthesis with structural-function relationship of type I RIPs suggesting potentials for antitumour and antiviral activities, and also induce uterine contraction to hasten child birth (Oxytocics). In this report, the traditional and medicinal uses of Luffa cylindrica were explored and the shortcomings associated with its uses were highlighted and discussed.
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Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies
Year: 2013, Volume: 1, Issue: 5
First page: (102) Last page: (111)
ISSN: 2320-3862
Online Available at www.plantsjournal.com
Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies
Vol. 1 Issue. 5 2013 www.plantsjournal.com Page|102
Traditional and medicinal uses of Luffa cylindrica :
a Review
Musibau Adewuyi AZEEZ, Olugbenga Solomon BELLO*, Adewumi Omobola ADEDEJI
1. Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 4000,
Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
2. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 4000,
Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
[E-mail: osbello06@gmail.com; Tel: +2348035685435]
Luffa cylindrical, otherwise known as Sponge gourd is a fibrous plant with fruits containing black seeds. Luffa plant
is a curcurbit with other members including snake gourd, pumpkins and cucumbers. It grows as a flowering annual
vine with pollinated flowers developing into cylindrical green fruits filled with seeds in a system of many
intertwined cellulose fibres. The fruit is edible especially when young and it contains group of compounds such as
phenolics, lavonoids, oleanolic acid, ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol, carotenoids, chlorophylls, triterpenoids and
ribosome-inactivating proteins, which makes it highly effective when used for medicinal purpose. Luffa cylindrical
contains chemical components that have effects on hypersensitivity reactions, serve as immunostimulant, anti-
inflamatory agent and function in glycosidase activity, inhibit protein synthesis with structural-function relationship
of type I RIPs suggesting potentials for antitumour and antiviral activities, and also induce uterine contraction to
hasten child birth (Oxytocics). In this report, the traditional and medicinal uses of Luffa cylindrica were explored
and the shortcomings associated with its uses were highlighted and discussed.
Keyword: Luffa cylindrica, Phenolics, Lavonoids, Oleanolic Acid, Ascorbic Acid.
1. Introduction
Nature has provided a complete storehouse of
remedies to cure ailments of mankind. Medicinal
plants have been used for centuries as remedies
for poisonous bites because they contain
component of therapeutic values and has also
been used to induce labour during child birth[1].
Traditional healing system plays an important
role in maintaining the physical and
psychological wellbeing of the vast majority of
tribal people in India[1]. Traditional medicine
include all kinds of folk medicine,
unconventional medicine and indeed any kind of
therapeutic method that had been handed down
by the tradition of a community or ethnic group.
Snake-bite is an important and serious
medicolegal problem in many parts of the world,
especially in South Asian countries[1]. Almost
80% of people in developing countries depend on
traditional medicines for primary health care[1],
most of which are derived from the plants. The
village folk, especially the sugali tribal people are
still using the natural resources available in their
surroundings[1]. Ethnobotany, the interaction
between plants and people involves traditional
use of medicinal plants by indigenous
communities and management of plant diversity
by the aboriginals[2]. Traditional herbal medicine
is readily available in rural areas for the treatment
of snakebite. Application of the plant or its sap
onto the bite area, chewing leaves and bark or
drinking plant extracts or decoctions are some
procedures used to counteract snake venom
activity. Plants are used either single or in
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combination, as antidotes for snake envenomation
by rural populations in India and in many parts of
the world[3].
Medicinal plants have also be found useful in the
treatment of infections caused by fungi, bacteria,
viruses, parasites and certain clinical conditions
[like cancer] occurring naturally or resulting from
exposure to environmental contaminants[4]. Over
60% of people in Nigeria rural areas depend on
traditional medicine for treatment of ailments[4].
Different plants have been used as a source of
inspiration in the development of novel drugs[5].
Plant derived medicine are widely used because
they are relatively safer than the synthetic
alternatives, they are readily available, cheaper
and work effectively with no side effect[6]. As a
result of the use of medicinal plants in treatments,
some of them have be found to have triterpenoids
which comprise a large group of diverse C30
natural secondary metabolites having relatively
complex cyclic structures, usually tetra or
pentacyclic, although acyclic or monocyclic
skeletons have also be found[7]. However, most of
these plants contain alcohols, aldehydes,
carboxylic acids or esters, which are regarded as
an important class of compounds in
Phytochemistry. Modern isolation and analysis
techniques have refined the structural elucidation
of many already isolated and also newly found
compounds[7]. More than 40 skeletal types arising
from the cyclisation and subsequent
rearrangements of their biosynthetic precursor
squalene has been distinguished. Most of the
triterpenes, with the exception of those with
hopane and gammacerane skeletons have a 3-
oxygen function. The attachment of linear or
branched sugar moieties to the triterpene
framework, usually at the 3-hydroxyl position,
results in the formation of a large number of
naturally occurring saponins. Disubstitution or,
less frequently, trisubstitution of the triterpenoid
molecule with sugars is a regular feature for these
compounds[7]. Triterpenoids are widely
distributed throughout the plant kingdom.
Oleananes and ursanes, which often occur
together, and lupanes are found in a wide range of
families. Lanostanes are common in fungi and
marine organisms and also occur in higher plants.
The remaining skeletal types are more restricted
in their natural occurrence. Cucurbitanes occur in
the Cucurbitaceae and they have also been
detected occasionally in at least five other
families, namely Begoniaceae, Cruciferae,
Desfontainiaceae, Elaeocarpaceae and
Scrophulariaceae[8]. Many plants [e.g. Luffa
cylindrica, etc] belong to the family
Cucurbitaceae found to contain cucurbitanes
which is a type of triterpene.
Luffa cylindrica has been found to be a unique
vegetable which also belongs to a family of
cucumber and marrow and also known as a
vegetable sponge or sponge gourd[9]. Luffa is a
subtropical vegetable and widely cultivated in
Asia, India, Brazil, and USA[9-11] but not shown
to be cultivated in Nigeria. In addition to being
used as edible vegetable, Luffa also finds a wide
application in packing medium, shoes mats,
sound proof linings, bath sponges, utensil
cleaning sponges, adsorbent for removal of heavy
metal [such as Nickel, Lead, Chromium, Copper,
etc] in waste water, and immobilization matrix
for plant, algae, bacteria and yeast[10].
Additionally, the luffin which was reported to be
a ribosome- inactivating protein isolated from
Luffa seed, has been shown to be effective against
growth of parasites, protozoa, insects, fungi and
HIV[12]. In a study dealing with the anti-
inflammatory activity on macrophage cell, Bor
and co-worker[13] compared 25 vegetables and
found that fresh Daylily was the most efficient in
inhibiting LPS-induced NO generation, followed
by Luffa[13]. The presence of functional
components like polyphenols in Luffa may be
responsible for this effect[14]. There are several
Luffa species present in nature, of which Luffa
acutangula; the antiproliferative activity on
leukaemia cells HL-60 has been reported[15].
However, the effect of L. cylindrica on biological
activity like anti-inflammation remains
unexplored.
Many polyphenols including p-coumaric acid, 1-
O-feruloyl-b-Dglucose, 1-O-p-coumaroyl-b-D-
glucose, 1-O-caffeoyl-b-D-glucose, 1-O-[4-
hydroxybenzoyl]-glucose, diosmetin-7-O-b-D-
glucuronide methyl ester, apigenin-7-O-b-D-
glucuronide methyl ester and luteolin- 7-O-b-D-
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glucuronide methyl ester have been discovered in
Luffa pulp [14]. Also, sponge gourd was shown to
contain 20.74 mg/g of total phenolics, 17.94 mg/g
of flavonoids, 0.5 mg/g of total anthocyanins, and
1.2 mg/g of ascorbic acid[15]. While in Luffa seed,
both oleanolic acid and echinocystic acid were
the major triterpene acids present[16], the variety
and amount of triterpene acids in Luffa pulp and
peel remain unknown[17]. Moreover, some other
functional components like carotenoids and
chlorophylls remain unexplored in Luffa. Luffa
peel, a major waste produced during preparation
of Luffa prior to cooking, also proved to be a vital
source of functional components[17]. As a result of
this fact, Luffa peel is likely going to be a
promising raw material for possible future
production of health foods[17]. Luffa cylindrica
has been studied to contain Ribosome
inactivating proteins [RIPs][18]. Ribosome-
inactivating proteins [RIPs] are plant enzymes
that depurinate the large ribosomal RNA [rRNA].
This modification renders the ribosome unable to
bind elongation factor 2 [EF-2], thereby
inhibiting the protein synthesis[19]. A diverse
range of medicinal properties have also been
associated with these RIPs; for example, they
have been tested extensively for use as
immunotoxins and anti-HIV agents and for their
effects on protozoa, insects, and fungi[20]. Based
on the structural properties and their
corresponding genes, RIPs are classified into
three types: Type I RIPs contain a single
enzymatically active chain with molecular
weights ranging from 26 to 31 kDa[21]. Type II
RIPs are highly toxic heterodimeric proteins with
an enzymatically active A-chain subunit and a
lectin-like B-chain[21-22]. Each chain has a
molecular weight of 30 kDa and is linked through
a disulfide bond[23]. Type III RIPs consist of a
single enzymatically active polypeptide, but,
unlike type I RIPs, are synthesized as
zymogens[24]. In addition to the aforementioned
RIPs, small RIPs with a molecular weight of
about or less than 10 kDa are by comparison
much less well known and have been isolated
only from bitter gourd seeds designated c-
momorcharin[25], sponge gourd seeds designated
Luffin P1[26], Luffin-S[27] and fresh brown
pumpkin seeds designated α-moschin and β-
moschin[28]. Amino acid analysis revealed that
they have very unusual amino acid compositions
and are characterized by a predominance of
arginine and glutamate residues[29]. Luffin P1 is
the smallest RIP with a molecular weight of
5226.8 Da. It displays a cell-free translation-
inhibiting potency [IC50 = 0.88 nM], which is
similar to those of types I and III RIPs but higher
than those of type II RIPs[30]. Another group of
investigators reported hIL2-Luffin P1
immunotoxin exhibits potent inhibitory activity
on T-cell proliferation in vitro and significantly
prolongs the survival of MHC-mismatched skin
and renal allografts in vivo[31].
2.0 Analysis Of Functional Components In
Luffa Peel And Pulp
Luffa cylindrica has been shown to contain some
components which are responsible for its potency
in treatment of diseases. The analysis based on
the method of Kao and Chen[32] revealed that the
Luffa peel water extract contained the largest
amount of total phenolics, while the ethanol
extract contained the highest level of total
avonoids. The Luffa peel ethyl acetate extract
contained a greater content of oleanolic acid,
carotenoid and chlorophyll than the other ve
extracts. Comparatively, the Luffa peel extract
contained a higher amount of functional
components than Luffa pulp[17].
2.1 Functional components in Luffa pulp
and peel
Table 1 shows the various functional components
in Luffa peel and pulp extracts. Among the
various treatments, total phenolics were present
in highest amount in water extract of peel [PW],
followed by ethyl acetate extract of peel [PA],
ethanol extract of peel [PE], ethyl acetate extract
of pulp [AP], water extract of pulp [WP] and
ethanol extract of pulp [EP][17].While for total
flavonoids, PE was the most abundant, followed
by PW, PA, EP, WP and AP[17]. Compared to
Luffa pulp, Luffa peel contained a larger amount
of oleanolic acid, especially in both PA and PE.
Interestingly, no vitamins C and E were detected
in all the Luffa peel and pulp extracts[17].
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However, a level of 24.1 and 55.7 lg/g vitamin C
was detected in fresh Luffa peel and pulp,
respectively, whereas vitamin E remained
undetected[17]. According to the data bank of food
composition in Taiwan[17], fresh Luffa pulp was
found to contain vitamin C at 60 lg/g. The
absence of vitamin C in Luffa peel and pulp
extracts indicated that this nutrient may undergo
substantial loss during washing, freeze drying or
extraction. Table 2 shows the contents of various
carotenoids and chlorophylls in all the Luffa
extracts. It was found that no carotenoids were
detected in both PW and WP, which is due to
their lipid-soluble nature. A total of five
carotenoids, including 9- or 90-cisneoxanthin, all-
trans-lutein, 9- or 90-cis-lutein, all-trans-b-
carotene and 9- or 90-cis-b-carotene were
detected in PA, with all-trans-lutein dominated.
As most carotenoids are present in all-trans form
naturally in plants, the formation of cis isomers is
probably due to freeze-drying or extraction[33].
Comparatively, the total carotenoids were present
at a much larger amount in PA than in the other
five extracts. Also, Luffa peel was shown to
contain higher level and more variety of
carotenoids than Luffa pulp. A total of 12
chlorophylls and their derivatives were present in
PA, in which both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll
b dominated (Table 2)[17]. In addition, PA was
shown to contain the largest amount of total
chlorophylls, followed by PE, AP and EP[17]. This
outcome implied that the low-polarity nature of
chlorophylls was more readily extracted with less
polar solvents like ethyl acetate. By comparing
this with carotenoids, no chlorophylls were
detected in water extracts of both Luffa peel and
pulp [PW and WP]. It was further reported that, a
much larger amount of chlorophylls was present
in Luffa peel than in Luffa pulp. Also, both total
phenolics and total flavonoids were the major
functional components in water extract of peel
[PW], while oleanolic acid, carotenoid and
chlorophyll were the main bioactive compounds
in ethyl acetate extract of Luffa peel [PA][17]. A
similar outcome was reported by[34-35] showing
that a higher level of total phenolics was in apple
peel and Chinese jujube skin than pulp,
respectively. It was postulated that phenolic
compounds has been accumulated in the
epithelial tissue of plants for protection against
oxidative damage[36]. For triterpene acid, only
oleanolic acid was detected in both Luffa peel and
pulp extracts. However, in a similar study by
Khajuria[16] reported the presence of oleanolic
acid and echinocystic acid in Luffa seed.
Apparently, echinocystic acid is mainly
distributed in Luffa seed instead of Luffa peel or
pulp. Nevertheless, the variety, growth
environment and harvest season also affects
distribution and kind of triterpene acid in Luffa.
As pointed out by Guclu-ustundag and Mazza[37],
oleanolic acid is more soluble in medium-polarity
solvents, which should explain why a much larger
level of oleanolic acid is present in ethyl acetate
extract of Luffa peel [PA] (Table 1)[17].
Table 1: Contents of functional components (mg/g extract)A in different Luffa extracts.B [17]
Extract Total phenolicC Total
lavonoidsD Oleanolicacid Ascorbic acid a-Tocopherol Carotenoids Chlorophylls Total
PW 14.02±0.80a 16.74±0.50a 0.46±0.01c ND ND ND ND 31.22±1.31
PA 11.24±0.31b 7.21±0.00b 25.79±0.36a ND ND 14.87±1.42a 37.29±0.16a 96.40±2.25
WP 1.11±0.01e 0.22±0.00c 0.03±0.00d ND ND ND ND 1.36±0.01
EP 0.94±0.09e 0.33±0.00c 0.01±0.00d ND ND 0.01±0.00b 0.04±0.00c 1.33±0.09
AP 4.18±0.19d NDE 0.15±0.00cd ND ND 0.65±0.02b 1.60±0.01b 6.58±0.22
PW: water extract of peel. PE: ethanol extract of peel. PA: ethyl acetate extract of peel. WP: water extract of pulp. EP: ethanol extract of pulp. AP: ethyl
acetate extract of pulp
A Average of duplicate analyses±standard deviation.
B Symbols bearing different letters [a–e] in the same column are significantly different [p < 0.05].
C Data expressed as mg/g of gallic acid equivalent.
D Data expressed as mg/g of quercetin equivalent.
E Not detected.
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Table 2: Contents of carotenoids and chlorophylls (lg/g extract)A in different Luffa extracts. [17]
PW PE PA WP EP AP
Carotenoids
9-or 90-cis Neoxanthin ND ND ND 1403.4±35.7 ND ND
All-trans-lutein ND 431.3±63.5 9131.6±1180.1 ND 8.2±0.1 396.1±48.3
9-or 90-cis-Lutein ND 32.4±1.1 366.6±73.8 ND ND 38.9±4.7
All-trans-b-carotene ND 216.5±16.7 2934.1±262.7 ND ND 167.1±11.4
9-or 90-cis-b-Carotene ND 55.2±2.3 1032.6±16.2 ND 3.2±0.3 45.9±8.4
Total ND 735.5± 0.1 ND 11.4±0.0 648.0±0.0
Chlorophylls
Hydroxychlorophylb ND 7.4±1.6 355.4±17.3 ND ND 0.5±0.3
Chlorophyll b ND 573.8±26.8 5939.0±304.7 ND 12.8±0.0 345.8±7.7
Chlorophyll b´ ND 67.7±3.1 1232.7±62.9 ND ND 30.4±1.0
15-OH-lactone chlorophyll a ND ND 81.4±2.0 ND ND ND
Hydroxychlorophyll a ND 17.3±0.7 537.8±27.7 ND ND 12.5±0.5
Chlorophyll a ND 681.0±2.8 23952.9±506.5 ND 14.2±0.2 1038.4±18.1
Chlorophyll a´ ND 32.2±1.5 1491.0±86.4 ND ND 51.0±1.4
Pheophytin b ND 19.8±1.6 83.7±5.9 ND ND ND
Hydroxypheophytin a ND 11.9±1.0 69.3±3.2 ND ND ND
Hydroxypheophytin a´ ND 7.4±1.6 46.4±1.6 ND ND ND
Pheophytin a ND 529.4±27.8 2998.3±157.7 ND 17.8±0.0 108.9±1.3
Pheophytin a´ ND 53.3±10.4 500.2±16.5 ND ND 17.4±0.2
Total ND 2001.1±0.8 37288.1±156.3 ND 44.8±0.1 1604.9±6.3
PW: water extract of peel. PE: ethanol extract of peel. PA: ethyl acetate extract of peel. WP: water extract of pulp. EP: ethanol extract of pulp. AP: ethyl
acetate extract of pulp.
A Average of duplicate analyses ± standard deviation.
The effects of Triterpenoids as one of the
components of Luffa cylindrica are discussed
under different subheadings stated below:
2.2 Effects of triterpenoids on
hypersensitivity reactions
Adaptive immunity has the mission of defending
an organism against microbial infections, but it
also produces damage and disease [38]. Such is the
case with hypersensitivity reactions, which are
responses of the immune system against different
agents or events, but in some cases, it cause an
excessive response that is not controlled by the
organism [38]. There are four types of
hypersensitivity reactions [38], of which the most
relevant with regard to being treated with
medicinal plants are type I or immediate
hypersensitivity, which is due to IgE antibodies,
and type IV, which is mediated by lymphocyte
[38]. In the former, allergy is the most relevant
clinical manifestation, with anaphylaxis, asthma,
rhinitis, or eczema being common, while in the
latter, delayed-type hypersensitivity and contact
dermatitis are the most common
manifestations[38]. Other diseases that can develop
when lymphocyte-mediated hypersensitivity is
implicated are rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes
mellitus [insulin-dependent], multiple sclerosis,
and inflammatory bowel disease[39].
2.3 Immunostimulant effects of
triterpenoids
Alis et al.,[40] studied eight cycloartanes isolated
from Astragalus melanophrurius [Fabaceae] and
found that the compounds showed interesting
immunomodulatory activity in an isolated human
lymphocyte stimulation test. It was further
revealed that astrasieversianins II and X;
astragalosides I, II, IV, and VI; and
cyclocanthosides E and G were all able to
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stimulate human lymphocyte proliferation in
concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 g/mL.
Behboudi et al.,[41-42] studied, the effects of a
mixture of triterpenes from Quillaja saponaria
[Rosaceae] on the production of IL-1 and IL6, as
well as their role in the activation of APC, a
prerequisite for the development of immune
responses were reported. This was shown that in
such cell-mediated immune responses, IL-6
synergizes with IL-1 to promote T cell
proliferation and both the differentiation of T
helper cells and the development of T cell-
mediated cytotoxicity by CD8+ cells. Therefore
IL-1 constituted a second signal for T cell
activation, in this case provided by APC, which
carries the first signal produced by the MHC class
II molecules. After its release, IL-1 up regulates
the activity of T helper cells. For its part,
cytokine IL-6 is a key factor in cytolytic T
lymphocyte generation, which is an important
effector mechanism elicited by the
immunostimulant complex [iscom]-borne
antigens. Of the possible combinations of
triterpenoids, including QH-A, QHC, and
spikoside, a semipurified Quillaja saponin
product, all of which are mixtures of saponins, It
has been shown that there is an increase in QH-A
as opposed to QH-C increased the capacity to
activate APC. From Luffa cylindrica
[Cucurbitaceae], Khajuria et al.,[16] isolated and
studied the immunomodulatory activity of
oleanolic acid and echinocystic acid in which
both compounds increased the phagocytic index
and showed stimulatory effects on macrophages,
increasing both humoral and cell-mediated
immune responses.
2.4 Saponnins
They constitute a well known group of triterpene
which are bioactive compounds generally
considered to be produced by plants to counteract
pathogens and herbivores. Besides their role in
plant defense, saponins are of growing interest for
drug research as they are active constituents of
several folk medicines and provide valuable
pharmacological properties[43]. Accordingly,
much effort has been put into unraveling the
modes of action of saponins, as well as in
exploration of their potential for industrial
processes and pharmacology[43]. However, the
exploitation of saponins for bioengineering of
crop plants[43] with improved resistances against
pests as well as circumvention of laborious and
uneconomical extraction procedures for industrial
production from plants is hampered by the lack of
knowledge and availability of genes in saponin
biosynthesis[43]. Although the ability to produce
saponin is rather widespread among plants, a
complete synthetic pathway has not been
elucidated in any single species[43].
An overview of the traditional importance of
anti-inflammatory triterpenoids in
pharmacognosy gives rather poor results unless
saponins are included. However, diverse crude
drugs containing triterpenoids in the combined
form of saponins have been used extensively
for their anti-inflammatory properties, not only
in folk medicine but also in modem clinical
therapeutics. Aesein, a mixture of oleanane
triterpene saponins with a yield of about 13%
relative to the crude drug weight, shows anti-
inflammatory action, and it is administered
orally for clinical use[44]. Among Oriental
medicinal remedies are many herbal drugs, such
as ginseng or saiko, which contain triterpene
saponins as their principal constituents and the
ones that seem to be responsible for their
efficacy[45]. Ginseng, from the root of Panax
ginseng has been well known in East Asian
countries since ancient times as a panacea drug
that favours longevity. It contains oleanolie
acid and dammarane triterpene saponins called
ginsenosides with diverse pharmacological
properties including anti- inflammatory
activity[46]. The root of the Bupleurum species
has been used in China as a traditional
remedy for inflammatory diseases [45]. The main
constituents of this drug are oligoglycosides of
oleanane triterpenes called saikosaponin a-f.
Saikosaponins cause a reduction in histamine
secretion and enhance the anti-inflammatory
actions of glucocorticoids[46-47]. It has recently
been reported that the saikosaponins present
in Heteromorpha trifoliata, which are
structurally related to those of Bupleurum
falcatum (saiko in Japanese), have anti-
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inflammatory activity. One in vivo study
concluded that the isolated saikosaponins act
by a mechanism close to that of steroids, but
do not involve the glucocorticoid receptor[48].
3.0 Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins [Rips]
These are mainly present in plants and function to
inhibit protein synthesis through the removal of
adenine residues from eukaryotic ribosomal RNA
[rRNA][49]. They are broadly classified into two
groups: type I and type II. Type I RIPs are a
diverse family of proteins comprising a single
polypeptide chain, whereas type II RIPs are
heterodimeric glycoproteins comprising an A-
chain [functionally equivalent to a type I RIP]
linked via a disulphide bond to a B chain,
mediating cell entry[49]. Of the two types
discussed earlier (type I and type II), only typeI
RIPs (α-luffin) [50] have been reported to be
present in Luffa cylindrical.
3.1 Medicinal Plants Used In The Induction Of
Uterine Contractions [Oxytocics]
Some medicinal plants have been used in
inducing labour during childbirth [51]. Most
common methods used in the preparation of the
medicine are by squeezing, it can also be boiled,
while the most common method of administration
of herbal medicines is by giving infusions orally
[51]. Those plants claimed to be oxytocics are used
to induce and maintain labour, help to remove the
retained placenta, regulate post-partum bleeding
and as abortifacient [51]. They increase the
spontaneous activity of the uterus causing
increase in contractions [52]. Medicinal plants
used to speed birth are usually taken towards the
end of gestation period or at the onset of labour
pains [52]. Plants that produce uterine contractions
have similar mode of action as that of oxytocin
hormone produced on the posterior lobule of the
hypophysis, which stimulates the uterus to
experience strong contractions, thus producing
labour[53]. The traditional birth attendants,
mothers-in-law, mothers, or the expecting mother
herself [self-medication] mainly prescribe these
herbal remedies to induce labour. Some of these
medicinal plants are also fed to cows and goats in
labour[51]. Some traditional healers use these
herbs to make a local medicinal capsule called
“Emumbwa [51], made from clay mixed with the
herbs to form capsules, then dried for use at any
time when a woman is in labour. Special
containers made of clay are used to crush the
capsule and mix with water for oral
administration [51]. Emumbwa is widely used in
commercial centres, towns and big cities where
plants that can be used to quicken birth are not
easily obtained, hence a business for the
traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and other
herbal medicine vendors, who live in towns and
cities [52]. It was also reported that if such
oxytocic plants are used during the first months
of pregnancy, they could induce an abortion
which was observed with some medicinal plants
such as Vernonia amygdalina Del[51]. Luffa
cylindrica seeds were reported to be
abortifacient[54-55]. The ethno pharmacological
studies reflecting these medicinal plants used in
childbirth or for inducing abortion imply that
some of these plants can hasten childbirth hence
are probably oxytocics. Some plants used by
TBAs may also have harmful effects when taken
in larger quantities than required, this results into
death of the unborn baby and/or rupturing of the
uterus[52]. The fact that almost all plant species
used to induce labour are administered orally has
far reaching implications to the mother and the
unborn child, including the death of the mother in
case of wrong dosages.
Fig1: Luffa cylindrica plant
4.0 Shortcomings
Further studies should be carried out specifically
to examine the relationships between high
maternal mortality and high dependence on herbs
during child birth; a positive linkage is suspected
Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies
Vol. 1 Issue. 5 2013 www.plantsjournal.com Page|109
and requires further research. Although the
chemical extracts of Luffa Cylindrica have
generally been examined for their anti-
inammatory and antiviral properties, their
possible use as immunosuppressant drugs should
be considered for future research. In addition,
new paths of investigation should be pursued,
including studies on their effects on
transcriptional pathways as well as their
implication in immune responses. Several
structural groups of triterpenes have
demonstrated specicity against transcriptional
factors; these could be of particular interest in
treating inammation, cancer, and immune
diseases.
Since many women in some part of the world
depend on the use of this traditional medicine to
induce labour, the dilemma can lie in the toxicity
and the unspecified dosages that may threaten the
life of the unborn baby and the mother. Therefore
may be need to carry out more study on the plant
extract in order to evaluate its toxicity level at
different concentration. Immunosuppressant
drugs for this plant should also be considered for
future research. There is need to carry out more
experiment so as to have clearer understanding on
the physiological role of triterpenes. There is
need to have clearer understanding of the
physiological role of triterpenes in Luffa
cylindrica. There is also the need to devise a
preservation method for its fruit without sun
drying in order to make it available throughout
the year and still remain viable.
5. Conclusion
Luffa cylindrica as a medicinal plant has been
widely employed in treatment of many diseases
and used in proffering solutions to clinical
problems relating to child birth. Although to
many communities where this plant is used, little
did they know about the secret of its potency.
Scientific research has shown the presence of
some chemical components and proteins in Luffa
cylindrica, and many others, which made it
possible for them to be used as potentially
effective chemical agent in health care delivery.
Thus, possibility of transforming the chemical
agents implicated in the plant of study into
synthetic drugs to combat endemic diseases such
as cancer and HIV should be the next focus of the
clinical scientists.
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