Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts from Dry Leaves and Ash-Dry Leaves of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem Cultivated in Vietnam

Abstract

Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem was traditionally used to treat stomachaches, as antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant, particularly for atherosclerosis therapy, as a suppository to cure constipation and spleenopathy, as an anthelmintic, carminative, emmenagogue, galactagogue, and as an antiseptic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of an extract from dry leaves (LuL) compared to ash-dry leaves (LuA) of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.
 Our results showed the physical-chemical and phytochemical properties, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity and the metal ion content of both extracts. The comparison between the extract from dry leaves (LuL) and ash-dry leaves (LuA) of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem, showed difference in quantitative phytochemical determination of cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. This finding may be related to the LuA sample being burned out incompletely into ash. Furthermore, this study showed that the activity of extracts from dry leaves (LuL) and ash-dry leaves (LuA) contained both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. The antioxidant properties observed may be related to , the flavonoids content. The presence of metal ions in both extracts, which may contribute to the known wound healing effects, deserves further study.

Phytochemicals, Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacologocal Effects of Luffa Cylindrica and Their Medicinal Importance: A Review

“…Extracts sourced from different plant components, like leaves, fruits, or seeds, were assessed for their potential to hinder bacterial growth or induce bacterial demise. The methanol extracts obtained from dried leaves and ash-dried leaves of Luffa cylindrica demonstrated both inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and the ability to kill bacteria (Sirisa et al, 2023). Devi et al (2009) reported the antibacterial effects of ethanol extracts against various bacteria, showing 40-80 mm inhibition zones.…”