Pharmacodynamic findings for the usefulness of Luffa cylindrica (L.) leaves in atherosclerosis therapy with supporting antioxidant potential

Luffa cylindrica (L.) is a commonly used vegetable in different parts of Asia. Its fruits are generally used as a vegetable, but pharmacological activities of the leaves were unrevealed. The study evaluated the antihyperlipidemic activity and in vitro antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica (L.) leaves (MELCL). The antihyperlipidemic potential was investigated in Triton X-100-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Animals were pre-treated with Triton X-100 (400 mg/kg). The Triton X-100-treated animals were then treated with MELCL at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg using 5% CMC, as a vehicle, per oral (p.o) for 7 days. Antioxidant activity was studied by examining the DPPH and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging potential of the extract. The plasma sample of rats was analyzed, and it was found that MELCL shows significant (p < 0.05) antihyperlipidemic activity at 200 mg/kg of MELCL. Serum analysis showed a marked reduction in the level of multiple biochemicals like total cholesterol (TC) (85.48 ± 3.230 mg/dl), triglycerides (TG) (74.62 ± 8.764 mg/dl), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (31.97 ± 3.475 mg/dl), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) (14.92 ± 1.635 mg/dl), and an increase in the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (40.58 ± 1.625 mg/dl). MELCL also showed significant scavenging of DPPH radical (46.66 ± 0.002%) at concentration and hydrogen peroxide radical (47.55 ± 0.001%) at 100 μg/ml. Quantitative results of the study showed that MELCL has considerable antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential and could be the option for the treatment of atherosclerosis.