Abstract
Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. cultivated in Egypt is known to contain cucurbitacins and saponins. The cucurbitacin content was determined in L. cylindrica, herb and fruits and found to be 3.9% and 0.92% respectively. Different extracts were evaluated for their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory actions. Petrolether and alcohol extracts of Luffa were tested for their inhibitory effects on growth of human (MCF7) breast, (H2Pg2) liver and (H460) lung cancer cell lines. It was found that both extracts of herb and fruits showed the highest activity against MCF7, with an IC50 value of 8.2µg/ml for petrolether extract of herb and fruits. On the other hand, the alcohol extract of Luffa herb and fruits revealed an IC50 value of 7.4µg/ml and 7.5µg/ml respectively. In addition, the petrolether extract of Luffa fruits exhibits a significant inhibition of carrageenan- induced paw edema in rats which reached 13.7, 62, 63.1 and 59.9% at 1, 2, 3 and 4h after carrageenan injection.
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