(Linn.) M. J. Roem.
Synonym L. aegyptiaca Mill.
L. pentandra Roxb.
Family Cucurbitaceae.
Habitat Cultivated throughout greater parts of India.
English Smooth Luffa, Sponge- gourd, sponge Cucumber.
Ayurvedic Dhaamaargava, Mahaakoshtaki, Mahaajaalini, Raajakoshataki.
Siddha/Tamil Mozhukupeerankai, Pikku.
Action Plant—used against
pharyngitis, rhinitis, mastitis, oedema, swellings and burns. Leaves— used for chronic bronchitis. Leaf juice is given for amenorrhoea.
Flowers—used for treating migraine. Seeds—alcoholic extract
exhibited 9.80% fungitoxic activity.
German Commission E included Luffa aegyptiaca among unapproved herbs. Preparations of Luffa sponge, used as a preventive for infections or cold, as a remedy for colds, nasal
Lupinus albus Linn. 385
catarrh as well as sinusitis and suppuration of the sinus, have been negatively evaluated.
The saponins isolated from aerial parts are effective in controlling obesity; also the side-effects of steroids.
The oleanane saponins, lucyoside A- H (at least one component) is effective in preventing loss of hair.
Spongegourd extracts or saponins (ginsenosides and lucyosides) find application in topical medication for skin disorders and haemorrhoids. Lucyosides are also used as antitussive.
The roots of the mature plants contain an acidic pentacyclic triterpene, bryonolic acid. Bryonolic acid showed antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental animals. An aqueous extract of seeds showed strong fibrinolytic activity. It also showed anticancer activity in transplanted tumours.
Dosage Leaf, flower, fruit—tO— 20 ml juice. (CCRAS.)
colic; also in nephritis and chronic
bronchitis.
The fruit contains chrysoeriol and its glycosides as principal flavonoids. Seeds contain cucurbitacin B, triterpene alcohols, and a sap onin with oleanolic acid as sapogenin.
The alcoholic and ether extracts of the plant showed protection against CCI4-induced hepatic injury in rats. The aqueous extract of fruits is beneficial in jaundice as it significantly lowered serum bilirubin
