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International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Review and Research; 7(3); 151-155
ISSN: 0976 822X
Review Article
*Author for Correspondence
Review on Luffa acutangula L.: Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry,
Nutritional Value and Pharmacological Properties
S Manikandaselvi1, V Vadivel2, P Brindha2*
1PG and Research Department of Biochemistry, SengamalaThayaar Educational Trust Women’s College, Mannargudi,
Tamilnadu, India.
2Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India.
Available Online: 31st March, 2016
ABSTRACT
Luffa acutangula L. (Common name: Ridge gourd, Family: Cucurbitaceae) is a popular vegetable in India and other Asian
countries. It is a healthy food and contains good amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B2, Vitamin C,
carotene, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, iron and small quantities of iodine and fluorine. It is reported to contain many
phytochemicals such as flavonoids, saponins, luffangulin, sapogenin, oleanolic acid and Cucurbitacin B. L. acutangula has
been used extensively in Indian traditional system of medicines as diuretic, expectorant, laxative, purgative, hypoglycemic
agent and bitter tonic. The ethnobotanical survey revealed its use to protect jaundice, insect bites, swollen hemorrhoids,
dysentery and headache. Various biological activities of this plant were reported including its use in weight loss, jaundice,
blood purification, hypoglycemia, constipation, skin care, immune system booster, wound healing, eye problems, stomach
worms and asthma. The present review work focused on its distribution, botanical characters, ethnobotanical uses, folklore
claims, nutritional value, phytochemical constituents, medicinal properties and biological properties of L. acutangula.
Keywords: L. acutangula, ridge gourd, nutritional value, phytochemicals, medicinal value, biological activity
INTRODUCTION
Luffa acutangula L., belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae,
is commonly known as ridge gourd and it is used as
vegetable in Asian countries. It has different vernacular
names in different languages like English (Ridge gourd,
Angled lufa, Chinese okra, Dish-cloth gourd, Ribbed lufa,
Silk gourd, Sinkwa towel sponge, Sinqua melon,
Vegetable sponge), Hindi (Jhimani, Karvitarui, Karvituri,
Sankirah, Rantorai), Sanskrit (Gantali, Kosataki, Ksweda,
Mridangaphalika, Sutikta), Urdu (Turai), Kannada
(Kahire, Kahi Heere, Naaga daali balli), Malayalam
(Athanga), Marathi (Divali, Kadudodaki, Kadushirali,
Kaduturai, Ranturai, Kadudod-ka, Dadudodaka), Telugu
(Adavibira, Chedubira, Sendubirai, Verribira, Adivibeera,
Verri beera, Chedu beera, Adavi beera, Chathi beera),
Punjabi (Jhinga, Shirola), Tamil (Peerku, Itukari,
Itukarikkoti, Kacappi, Kacappuppirkku, Kaccam,
Kaippuppirkku, Karniti)1. The entire plant of Luffa
acutangula L. is medicinally important and is used
extensively in Indian traditional system of medicines.
From Ayurvedic point of view, ridge gourd increases vata
(the impulse principle necessary to mobilize the function
of the nervous system) and kapha (the body fluid principle
which relates to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of
nutrients into the arterial system) and also it cools down
and pacifies the dosha pitta (the energy principle which
uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the
venous system) in the body2.
Habit and habitat
L. acutangula is a pan tropical climbing herb and
cultivated throughout India and can grow in all types of
soils and in naturalized tropics and subtropics and can be
grown in summer or in rainy season. It is propagated by
seeds and can be sown either in February-March or June-
July3.
Botanical characters
Roots are yellowish-brown in colour, almost cylindrical in
shape. They are rough because of the longitudinal wrinkles
and also showed the presence of few adventitious roots.
Stem is brownish-yellow in colour, 0.2-0.4 cm thick, 5
angled, glabrous, and consists of tendrils (3-fid tendril).
Petiole is brownish yellow coloured, 3-8 cm in length;
somewhat twisted, wrinkled, orbicular, and angular lamina
is pale or light-green in colour, crimpled and broad.
Flowers Gynoecious, petals yellow and showy, female
flower solitary in long pedicel, occasionally in clusters,
ovary long, slightly ribbed stigma. Male flower is light
greenish-yellow coloured, occurs in small racemes having
pubescent calyx and lanceolate lobes. Three stamens are
present and corolla is yellow in colour whereas female
flower is solitary, yellow coloured having a long pedicel.
Ovary is strongly ribbed and stigma tri-fid. Fruits are
obovate, cylindrical or club-shaped, pale yellowish-brown
in colour, tapering towards the base and covered with 8-10
prominent longitudinal ribs on outer surface. There are
three chambers, of which inner part is fibrous and easily
detachable from outer one. Seeds are black coloured, bitter
Manikandaselvi et al. / Review on Luffa acutangula…
IJCPR, Volume 7, Issue 3, May – June 2016 Page 152
in taste, shape ovoid-oblong4,5.
Ethnobotanical uses
The ethnobotanical survey of the hilly areas in
Maharashtra revealed that very fine powder of fruits of L.
acutangula is used as a snuff to protect jaundice [6]. It is
also used traditionally in insect bites by tribes of Western
Maharashtra. A powder of the fruit is used for rubbing on
the swollen hemorrhoids. Kernel of the seeds is soft
smooth and an efficient remedy for dysentery while the
juice of roasted young fruit is applied to cure headache7.
Folklore claims
Ribbed gourd has diuretic properties; used as an
expectorant, laxative and purgative; hypoglycemic agent,
bitter tonic; used in the enlargement of spleen. The roots
of ridge gourd added to milk or water is helpful in the
removal of kidney stones. The roots of ridge gourd are
added to cooled water, boiled and applied on skin in the
swelling of the lymph glands. The leaves of the ridge gourd
are useful in the treatment of dysentery. The leaves or juice
of the ridge gourd are used as dressing in the diseases such
as inflammation of spleen, ringworms, piles and even in
leprosy. Pounded leaves mixed with garlic are applied
locally for a relief in leprosy. Oil is extracted from the
seeds of ridge gourd and used in the treatment of skin
diseases. Ridge gourd is also an effective home remedy for
the prevention of premature greying of hair. Ridge gourd
is chopped in small pieces along with the ribbed skin and
completely dried in the sun. Once the ridge gourd is fully
dried, made into a powder and used to prevent the
premature greying of hair8.
Phytoconstituents
Various phytochemicals reported in L. acutangula were
given in Table 1. Chemical constituents of L. acutangula
mainly include carbohydrates, carotenoids9, fat, protein,
phytin, amino acids (alanine, arginine, cystine, glutamic
acid, glycine, hydroxyproline, leucine, serine, tryptophan),
pipecolic acid, flavonoids10 and saponins11. Luffangulin, a
novel N-terminal ribosome inactivating peptide was
isolated from the seeds of L. acutangula12. Presence of
sapogenin, oleanolic acid and a bitter principle,
Cucurbitacin B were also identified from the seeds of L.
acutangula13. The oil characteristics of L. acutangula with
iodine value, saponification value and acid value were
99.5, 190.8 and 10.5, respectively with the melting point
range -3°C and -10°C was reported with its nutrient
value14.
Nutritional value
The most common use of the ridge gourd fruit is cooked as
a vegetable. It is very nutritive plant and has a bitter taste
if taken raw. Ridge gourd acts as an appetizer and it is a
healthy food and contains good amount of fiber, vitamins
and minerals including Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, carotene,
niacin, calcium, phosphorus, iron and small quantities of
iodine and fluorine (Table 2). Ridge gourd has a sweet
taste, cooling in nature and easy to digest. They form a low
calorie diet, which is considered good for diabetes. Both
the soft pulp and skin of ridge gourd are used in making
various recipes, especially in South Indian cuisine.
Chutneys made from the pulp and the peel of ridge gourd
is known for their health benefits8.
Medicinal uses
Ayurvedic literature revealed that fruits of L. acutangula
are used in the treatment of vata, kapha, anaemia,
leucoderma, tumors and also useful as diuretic and in
splenic enlargement6. Various biological activities
reported on L. acutangula were shown in Table 3. In
addition to its medicinal value, the fruit of L. acutangula
are consumed as food in almost every part of India.
Ayurveda has attributed ridge gourd with a number of
health benefits which current clinical research is also
supporting as well. From Ayurveda point of view, ridge
gourd increases vata and kapha, but it cools down and
Table 1: Chemical constituents reported in L. acutangula
S. No.
Parts studied
Chemical constituents identified
References
1
Fruit
Luffeine, vitamins and minerals.
[15]
Lignin (58.7 mg/kg), Tannin (1.84 mg /kg), Phenol (0.62
mg/kg), Flavonoid (0.45 mg/kg) and Alkaloid (0.19 mg/kg)
2
Seed
Fixed oil, palmitic, stearic, and myristic acids.
[16]
Lectin and chito-oligosaccharides.
[13]
Luffangulin, cucurbitacin B, sapogenin and oleanolic acid.
Table 2: Nutritional values of L. acutangula.
S.
No.
Parts studied
Food Materials
References
1
Edible portion of
fruit (100 g)
Carbohydrate (0.2 g), dietary fiber (3.3 g), organic acid
(0.11-0.6 g), Ca (14 mg), K (160 mg), Mg (14 mg), Zn (0.2
mg), thiamine (0.05 mg), riboflavin (0.01 mg) and
niacin(0.20 mg)
[7]
2
Fruit
Protein (9.6 mg/g), carbohydrates (5.5 mg/g), crude fiber
(2.8 mg/g), total fat (2.5 mg/g), energy value (22.9 Kcal),
vitamin E (0.01 mg/g), vitamin C (2.05 mg/g), free fatty
acid (43.9 mg/g), P (4.86%), S (2.22%), Mo (0.07%), Mg
(2.62%), Si (2.19%) and Fe (0.85%)
[15]
3
Seed
Amino acids, phosphorous, iron and magnesium
[13]
Manikandaselvi et al. / Review on Luffa acutangula…
IJCPR, Volume 7, Issue 3, May – June 2016 Page 153
pacifies the dosha pitta in the body [8]. In spite of their
bland taste, ridge gourds have many health benefits:
Weight loss: Since the ridge gourd is low in saturated fats
and cholesterol, it is an ideal diet for those who are looking
for weight loss. Ridge gourd has a high water content
which makes it a food with very less calories.
Jaundice: The ridge gourd juice is a very good natural
remedy for the treatment of jaundice. The juice which is
prepared by pounding the ridge gourd or the seed powder
is useful in controlling jaundice. The dried fruits are
powdered and used as snuff in the treatment of jaundice.
Blood purification: Ridge gourd has blood purifying
properties. It helps in the purification, restoration and
nourishment of the liver and is also helpful in the liver
detoxification resulting due to alcohol intoxication.
Hypoglycemia: Ridge gourd has certain peptides which are
exactly like insulin, alkaloids and charantin chemicals
which help in reducing the blood sugar and urine sugar
levels.
Constipation: the cellulose fibers present in ridge gourd are
used in the treatment of constipation and are also effective
in the treatment of piles.
Skin care: Ridge gourd is allowed to dry and mature on the
vine and it can be harvested as a sponge. This sponge has
been used traditionally as an exfoliating product while
bathing. They are considered to be useful in removing dead
cells from the skin thus making the skin smooth and
conditioned. The blood purifying properties of ridge gourd
are helpful against pimples and acne problems. Lufa
sponge is also effective in fighting off foot and body odor.
Immune system booster: Juice of ridge gourd mixed with
other healthy vegetables taken daily helps in strengthening
the immune system and helps the body in fighting against
infections effectively.
Table 3: Biological activities of Luffa acutangula
S. No.
Parts studied
Biological activity
References
1
Hydroalcoholic extract of L.
acutangula
Hepatoprotective activity
[17]
Saponin fraction of L. acutangula
seeds
[3]
Ethanolic fruit extracts of L.
acutangula
[18]
2
Ether, chloroform, ethanol and
aqueous extracts of fruits of L.
acutangula
Anti-diabetic activity
[19]
Juice of L. acutangula
[13]
Methanolic and aqueous extracts of
fruit of L. acutangula
[20]
3
Methanolic and aqueous extracts of
fruit of L. acutangula
Anti-ulcer activity
[21]
4
Methanolic extract of fruit of L.
acutangula
Anti-proliferative and anti-
angiogenic effects
[22]
5
Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L.
acutangula
Anti-cancer
[5]
6
Extracts were prepared by cold
maceration using aerial parts of
Luffa acutangula
Antioxidant activity
[23,24]
Methanolic and aqueous extracts of
L. acutangula
[25]
Ethanolic seed extract of L.
acutangula
[26]
7
Ethanolic extract of L. acutangula
fruits
CNS depressant activity
[27]
8
Seeds of L. acutangula
Fungistatic property
[28]
9
Ethanolic extract of fruit of L.
acutangula
Anti-cataleptic activity
[29,30,31]
10
Ethanolic extract of fruit of L.
acutangula
Analgesic activity
[26]
11
Fruit extract of L. acutangula
Antimicrobial activity
[7]
Methanolic and aqueous extracts of
L. acutangula
[32]
12
L. acutangula fruits
Developmental toxicity
[33,34]
13
Aerial parts of L. acutangula
Larvicidal activity
[6]
14
Ethanolic extracts of Pericarp of L.
acutangula
Immuno-modulatory
activity
[35]
Manikandaselvi et al. / Review on Luffa acutangula…
IJCPR, Volume 7, Issue 3, May – June 2016 Page 154
Eye problems: The high β-carotene content of ridge gourd
fruit is considered good for the eyes. Fresh juice is also put
in eyes to treat granular conjunctivitis and sties.
Wound healing: The pulp of the ridge gourd is ground and
applied on the wound to stop the bleeding.
Stomach worms: Ridge gourd is boiled in two glasses of
water and then added adequate salt. This mixture is taken
twice daily, to kill stomach worms.
Asthma: The gourd is ground and ½ cup ridge gourd juice
extracted mixed with sugar and taken twice a day to control
asthma.
Other: Ridge gourd is also useful as an emetic, expectorant
and demulcent.
CONCLUSION
Overview of L. acutangula revealed that the plant is the
source of many nutrients and therapeutically important
chemical constituents. Ethnobotanical and folklore claims
indicated its traditional use in indigenous and traditional
medicinal systems of India. Studies have exposed that it
has hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antiulcer,
antiproliferative and antiangiogenic, anticancer,
antioxidant, CNS depressant, fungistatic, anticataleptic,
analgesic, antimicrobial, larvicidal and
immunomodulatory activity . Due to its high nutritional
value and proven medicinal importance, some
nutraceutical products could be developed from L.
acutangula, since it is already being consumed as
vegetable throughout India. Further, studies should also be
focused on its bioactive principles of L. acutangula which
are responsible for the health benefits offered by this plant,
so that the bioactive compounds could give some leads for
new drug discovery to various chronic diseases.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors extend a deep sense of gratitude to the
Management and Administrative authorities of SASTRA
University, Thanjavur for their encouragement and
facilities offered also one of the Authors (SM) thank the
Management, Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust
Women’s College, Mannargudi for their motivation and
support.
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