Traditional Uses and Pharmacology of Luffa Acutangula

Abstract

The climbing plant Luffa acutangula, also referred to as angled luffa or ridge gourd, is used extensively in traditional medicine throughout Asia and Africa.  This plant, which is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has long been prized for its medicinal and nutritional qualities.  The fruits, seeds, leaves, and roots of Luffa acutangula have all been used traditionally to cure conditions like diabetes, jaundice, skin conditions, inflammation, and respiratory issues.  Many of these ethnomedicinal claims are supported by recent pharmacological research, which has shown the plant's antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory qualities.  Key bioactive components that contribute to its many therapeutic benefits have been found by phytochemical investigations, including flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds.  This review emphasises the importance of Luffa acutangula by highlighting its traditional applications, phytochemistry, and pharmaceutical potential. as a potential supply of organic medicinal substances.