Luffa

Scientific Name(s): Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb., Luffa aegyptiaca Mill., Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem., Luffa operculata (L.) Cogn.
Common Name(s): Dishcloth gourd, Loofah, Luffa, Smooth loofah, Sponge gourd, Vegetable sponge

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Clinical studies in humans are limited. However, in vitro and animal models indicate hypolipidemic, antifungal, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory pharmacological activities of luffa plant.

Dosing

The appropriate dosage regimen of luffa depends on factors such as age, health, and other conditions. At this time, there is not enough information to determine an appropriate range of doses for luffa.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Luffa is safe when used as food. However, information regarding adverse reactions with the use of luffa in higher dosages is lacking.

Toxicology

There is no definite information regarding toxicity.

Scientific Family

• Cucurbitaceae

Botany

Luffa is an herbaceous perennial vine bearing yellow flowers that bloom during daylight.Marr 2005 The plant is monoecious; male flowers occur in raceme formations, whereas female flowers are solitary.Marr 2005, Partap 2012 The calyxes are green and campanulate,Miller 1768 and the scabrid leaves are alternate and palmate, lobed slightly to deeply, with 5 to 7 veins.Marr 2005, Miller 1768, Partap 2012 The leaf base is cordiform, the margins are entire or serrate, and the apices are acute or acuminate. Petioles are as long as or longer than the leaf blade.Miller 1768, Partap 2012 The vine climbs by axillary tendrils, attaining 10 m in length.Miller 1768 Stems are green, slender, subcylindrical or angular, ribbed, and glabrous or puberulous. The fruit is trigonal and slightly sulcate and grows from 20 to 45 cm long, with numerous seeds that are 10 to 13 mm long, elliptical, black, and smooth. The pericarp, dehiscent by apical pores, is crustose, and the mesocarp forms a network of fibers.Miller 1768, Partap 2012 When the fruit matures and dries, the remaining mesocarp is dried, tangled vascular bundles that form a durable, dense, and stiff but compressible fibrous matrix.Marr 2005

History

L. aegyptiaca is native to South and Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it is known locally as "mu phuong" or "Vietnamese luffa."USDA 2000 It is common in Egypt, where it is cultivated in different areas. The German anatomist and botanist Johann Vesling first described the plant in European botanical literature in 1638 as the "Egyptian cucumber,"Vesling 1638 and because the Europeans first learned of if its cultivation in Egypt, the species was named aegyptiaca.USDA 2000 In the folk medicine of Sainai, Egypt, the seeds were reputed to have value in controlling diabetes mellitus.Vesling 1638 The young fruit of the plant resembles a cucumber and is consumed as a vegetable; the skin is usually peeled off and the remainder is either fried or curried, or eaten as a raw salad.Thayyil 2011, USDA 2000 Unlike the young fr...