Changes

==== Anti-diabetic action ====

==== Anti-diabetic action ====

Glycogenesis in muscle and liver is mainly regulated by serum insulin level. The decrease in hepatic glycogen may be due to low level of serum insulin in NIDDM rats, which could have inactivated the glycogen synthesis system. Treatment with Luffa acutangula (L.A.) extracts for 21 days to NIDDM rats has resulted in increase in liver glycogen levels. This highlights the one possible way of antidiabetogenic action of  LA extract. [10]

Glycogenesis in muscle and liver is mainly regulated by serum insulin level. The decrease in hepatic glycogen may be due to low level of serum insulin in NIDDM rats, which could have inactivated the glycogen synthesis system. Treatment with Luffa acutangula (L.A.) extracts for 21 days to NIDDM rats has resulted in increase in liver glycogen levels. This highlights the one possible way of antidiabetogenic action of  LA extract. <ref>Shekhawat N, Soam P S, Singh T and Vijayvergia R, Antioxidant activity of 5 vegetables traditionally consumed by South Asian migrants. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical sciences,5(4): 298-301, (2010).</ref>

==== Antioxidant activity/free radical scavenging activity ====

==== Antioxidant activity/free radical scavenging activity ====

A comparative study of extracts, prepared both by cold maceration and also by boiling the plant in the solvent under reflux, of vegetables traditionally consumed like angular ''loofah'' (Luffa acutangula), ''charungli'' (Caralluma edulis), ''okra'' (Abelmoschus esculentus) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia) was made for free radical scavenging activity (antioxidant property).The IC 50 value of ''L. acutangula'' was determined and was found to be 0.33μg/mg19. A significant difference in the antioxidant activity was observed between the extract obtained by both methods, in case of ''L.acutangula'', indicating the change in chemical composition of the plant during the heating process and increase in the amount of antioxidant components. [11]

A comparative study of extracts, prepared both by cold maceration and also by boiling the plant in the solvent under reflux, of vegetables traditionally consumed like angular ''loofah'' (Luffa acutangula), ''charungli'' (Caralluma edulis), ''okra'' (Abelmoschus esculentus) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia) was made for free radical scavenging activity (antioxidant property).The IC 50 value of ''L. acutangula'' was determined and was found to be 0.33μg/mg19. A significant difference in the antioxidant activity was observed between the extract obtained by both methods, in case of ''L.acutangula'', indicating the change in chemical composition of the plant during the heating process and increase in the amount of antioxidant components.<ref>Ansari N M, Houlihan L, Pierni A, Antioxidant activity of 5 vegetables traditionally consumed by South Asian migrants in Bradford, Yorkshire UK.Phytotherapy. Research, 19: 907-911, (2005).</ref>

==== Anti-ulcer activity ====

==== Anti-ulcer activity ====

Protective effect of ''Luffa acutangula'' extracts (methanolic and aqueous, LAM, LAW) on gastric ulceration in NIDDM rats was studied by inducing diabetes with Streptozotocin (65mg/kg, i.p.) along with nicotinamide (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and gastric ulceration to diabetic rats was induced by aspirin. LAM significantly (P<0.01) increased mucosal glycoprotein and antioxidant enzyme level in gastric mucosa of diabetic rats than LAW (P <0.05). LAM was efficient in reversing the delayed healing of gastric ulcer in diabetic rats close to the normal level. LAM exhibited better ulcer healing effect than glibenclamide and LAW, because of its both anti-hyperglycemic and mucosal defensive actions. Thus, LAM is proved to be a better alternative for treating gastric ulcers co-occurring  with diabetes. [12]

Protective effect of ''Luffa acutangula'' extracts (methanolic and aqueous, LAM, LAW) on gastric ulceration in NIDDM rats was studied by inducing diabetes with Streptozotocin (65mg/kg, i.p.) along with nicotinamide (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and gastric ulceration to diabetic rats was induced by aspirin. LAM significantly (P<0.01) increased mucosal glycoprotein and antioxidant enzyme level in gastric mucosa of diabetic rats than LAW (P <0.05). LAM was efficient in reversing the delayed healing of gastric ulcer in diabetic rats close to the normal level. LAM exhibited better ulcer healing effect than glibenclamide and LAW, because of its both anti-hyperglycemic and mucosal defensive actions. Thus, LAM is proved to be a better alternative for treating gastric ulcers co-occurring  with diabetes. <ref>Pimple B P,Kadam P V and Patil M J, Protective effect of Luffa acutangula extracts on gastric ulceration in NIDDM rats: Role of gastric mucosal glycoproteins and antioxidants.Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 610- 615, (2012).</ref>

==== Antimicrobial activity ====

==== Antimicrobial activity ====

Fruit extract of Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb. was found more potent antibacterial and anti-fungal activity than leaf extract. Among the bacteria, E. coli showed high sensitivity than Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa species to leaf and fruit extract of Luffa. The anti-fungal property was evaluated on various species and Curvularia lunata was found highly sensitive to leaf and fruit extract of Luffa while to same extract Phomasorghina showed poor sensitivity. Thus, it was concluded that plant possess significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. [13]

Fruit extract of Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb. was found more potent antibacterial and anti-fungal activity than leaf extract. Among the bacteria, E. coli showed high sensitivity than Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa species to leaf and fruit extract of Luffa. The anti-fungal property was evaluated on various species and Curvularia lunata was found highly sensitive to leaf and fruit extract of Luffa while to same extract Phomasorghina showed poor sensitivity. Thus, it was concluded that plant possess significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. <ref>Dandge V S,Rothe SP and Pethe A S,Antimicrobial activity and Pharmacognostic study of Luffa acutangularoxb var amara on some deuteromycetes fungi. International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, 2 (1): 191-196, (2010).</ref>

''Phaladi'' drugs taken as ''pippali phala, jimutaka, ikshvaku, dhamargava, kutaja'' and ''kritavedhana''. [14][Verse 7]

''Phaladi'' drugs taken as ''pippali phala, jimutaka, ikshvaku, dhamargava, kutaja'' and ''kritavedhana''.[Cha. Sa. [[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/18]

=== Further reading ===

=== Further reading ===