Comparative Evaluation of multiple extracts of Pericarp of Luffa acutangula (L.) for its significant Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antifungal activity

Luffa acutangula (L.) is the commonly used vegetable in different parts of India which belongs to the family Cucurbetaceae. Pericarp of Luffa acutangula (L.) is generally considered as a waste part. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate biological activities of the pericarp extracts of Luffa acutangula (L.) Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are widely distributed in plant which exerts multiple biological effects, including antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts of pericarp Luffa acutangula (L.) were used for comparative study of its antioxidant and antimicrobial property. Methanolic extract of pericarp shows highest amount of phenolic (45.0±1.1mg GAE/g of extract) and flavonoid content (4.5±0.2mg rutin/g of extract). Different models were used to study antioxidant properties of extract like 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity model, Nitric oxide scavenging activity model and H2O2 scavenging activity model and in most of the models, it was found that methanolic extract is having potent antioxidant property as compare to extracts of other solvents. Antibacterial activity was studied against strains of Escheria coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity was studied against culture of Candida albicans. All three extracts of pericarp showed significant antimicrobial activity. Evaluation of this therapeutic potential of phytochemicals present in pericarp shows its great medicinal importance.