ABSTRACT
Luffa cylindrica (LC) is a very fast-growing climber and its fruit have been considered as agricultural wastes. We conducted to check the comparative qualities of ethanol solvent extraction (LCE) and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (LCS) of L. cylindrica fruit and seed. LCS had higher antioxidant and polyphenol contents than LCE. LCS were significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-a and involucrin expression as epidermal differentiation marker in 3D skin equivalent model. LCS also showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a causative bacteria in atopic dermatitis. In addition, LCS inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. When treated with the extract at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway reporter luciferase activity of HEK 293-TOP cells was increased approximately by 2-folds compared to that of the untreated control group. These results indicate that L. cylindrica supercritical carbon dioxide extract may serve as a cosmeceutical for improving skin barrier function and the treatment of obesity.
Subject(s)
3T3-L1 Cells , Adipocytes , Bacteria , Carbon Dioxide , Carbon , Dermatitis, Atopic , Ethanol , Fruit , Luciferases , Luffa , Obesity , Peroxisomes , Skin , Staphylococcus aureusABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated few dietary cucurbits for anticancer activity by monitoring cytotoxic (MTT and LDH assays), apoptotic (caspase-3 and annexin-V assays), and also their anti-inflammatory effects by IL-8 cytokine assay. Aqua-alcoholic (50:50) whole extracts of cucurbits [Lagenaria siceraria (Ls), Luffa cylindrica (Lc) and Cucurbita pepo (Cp)] were evaluated in colon cancer cells (HT-29 and HCT-15) and were compared with isolated biomolecule, cucurbitacin-B (Cbit-B). MTT and LDH assays revealed that the cucurbit extracts and Cbit-B, in a concentration dependent manner, decreased the viability of HT-29 and HCT-15 cells substantially. The viability of lymphocytes was, however, only marginally decreased, yielding a potential advantage over the tumor cells. Caspase-3 assay revealed maximum apoptosis with Ls while annexin V assay demonstrated maximum efficacy of Lc in this context. These cucurbits have also shown decreased secretion of IL-8, thereby revealing their anti-inflammatory capability. The results have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of dietary cucurbits in inhibiting cancer and inflammatory cytokine.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , /pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cucurbita , Diet , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , HumansABSTRACT
En algunas regiones del mundo, las plantas originan importantes problemas clínicos, causando gran morbilidad y mortalidad, principalmente después de la intoxicación no intencional. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo principal describir un caso clínico presentado en el Servicio de Toxicología Médica, Hospital Doctor Leopoldo Manrique Terrero, Caracas, Venezuela (2012), de una intoxicación con la planta de estropajo (Luffa cylindrica), perteneciente a la familia de las Cucurbitáceas, usada inadecuadamente como instilación nasal. El análisis clínico otorrinolaringológico permitió evidenciar un cuadro agudo, grave con obstrucción de vías aéreas superiores, producido por el uso tópico de extracto de la planta de estropajo (Luffa cylindrica), como medicamento nasal para tratar una sinusitis crónica. El paciente presentó 2 horas después de la instilación, una disfonía, con un intenso edema de úvula; se encontraba confundido, con cefalea, así como acentuada odinofagia y dificultad respiratoria. Tras la revisión de la literatura se permite plantear que se trata del primer caso referido o publicado de esta inusual intoxicación y daño de vías aéreas superiores ocasionado por esta planta. El paciente fue tratado con oxígeno (SOS), hidrocortisona y clorfeniramina recuperándose después de 48 h de tratamiento sintomático.
In some world regions, plants originate important clinical problems, causing significant morbidity and mortality, mainly after unintentional poisoning. This paper aims to describe a case seen at the Medical Toxicology Service, "Dr. Leopoldo Manrique Terrero " Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela (2012), which was a loofah plant poisoning (Luffa cylindrica), belonging to Cucurbitaceae family, used inappropriately as nasal instillation. The otorhinolaryngology clinical analysis demonstrated an acute, severe upper airway obstruction produced by the topical use of loofah (Luffa cylindrica) plant extract as nasal medication to treat chronic sinusitis. The patient developed 2 hours after instillation, a dysphonia, with intense uvula edema, confusion, headache and sore throat and accentuated respiratory distress. After literature review it is suggested that this is the first referred or published case in this unusual intoxication and upper airway damage caused by this plant. The patient was treated with oxygen (SOS), hydrocortisone and chlorpheniramine recovering after 48 h of symptomatic treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Plants, Toxic/classification , Virology , Edema/diagnosis , Sinusitis , Luffa operculata , Public HealthABSTRACT
Una de las causas principales de las dolencias bucales es la placa dental. Para el control de la misma, el cepillo con esponja vegetal (Luffa cylindrica. L Roem) podría convertirse en un auxiliar alternativo económico. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la eficacia del cepillo de esponja vegetal frente al cepillo convencional en la remoción de placa supragingival. Ensayo clínico, aleatorizado y simple ciego para el evaluador. Fueron incluidos en el estudio 95 estudiantes de Odontología de las Universidades del Pacífico Privada, Nacional de Asunción, Central del Paraguay y Autónoma de Asunción sin patología bucal evidente, con más de 20% de placa dental en el examen inicial. La presencia de placa gingival basal fue evaluada con el índice de O' Leary tras seis horas mínimas sin cepillado ni uso de colutorios, a continuación se procedió al cepillado con los métodos asignados volviéndose a evaluar la presencia de placa supragingival. No se observó diferencia significativa en el porcentaje promedio de placa por la técnica Luffa en comparación con la técnica convencional después del cepillado (60% ±19 vs 62% ± 21 valor de p = 0,53, prueba t de student. El cepillo con esponja vegetal (Luffa cylindrica. L Roem) es una alternativa económica para la reducción de la placa supragingival.
One of the main causes of oral diseases is dental plaque. The loofah (Luffa cylindrica. L Roem) brush could become an economics alternative auxiliary to control dental plaque. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the loofa brush against the conventional toothbrush in the supragingival plaque removal. This was a randomized clinical trial, single blinded for the evaluator. Ninety five odontology students from the governmental National University of Asuncion and the private Pacifico and Autonoma de Asunción universities were included in the study. They did not have any obvious oral pathology and had more than 20% of dental plaque in the initial examination. The presence of basal gingival plaque was evaluated with the O Leary index after a minimum of six hours without brushing and using mouthwash. Then, they brushed their teeth with the method assigned and the presence of supragingival plaque was reevaluated. There was no significant difference in the mean percentages of plaque by the Luffa plaque technique compared with the conventional technique after brushing (60% ± 19 vs 62% ± 19 vs 62 ±, p value=0.53, Students t test). The loofa brush (Loofah cylindrica, L. Roem) is an economical alternative for the reduction of the supragingival plaque.
Subject(s)
Microvilli , Dental Plaque , ToothbrushingABSTRACT
3-hydroxy-1-methylene-2,3,4,4-tetrahydroxynapthalene-2-carbaldehyde (1), 22,23-dihydroxy spinasterol (2) were isolated from petroleum ether extrct of the fruits of Luffa cylindrical. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic studies including IR and high field NMR analysis.Petroleum ether extract (i.e. crude extract) exhibited mild to moderate antimicrobial activity. This is the first report of isolation of compound of 1 2 from this species.
3-hydroxi-1-metilen-2,3,4,4-tetrahidroxinaftalen-2-carbaldehido (1), 22,23-dihidroxispinasterol (2) fueron aislados de un extracto en eter de petróleo de la fruta de Luffa cylindrica. Las estructuras de estos compuestos fueron deducidas por estudios espectroscópicos incluyendo IR y RMN de alto campo. El extracto crudo en éter de petróleo mostró actividad antimicrobiana de leve a moderada. El presente estudio representa el primer reporte de estos compuestos en L cylindrica.