Title:The Molecular Characterization and Biological Assessment of the Leaves Extracts of Loofah Reveal their Nutraceutical Potential
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Author(s): Takoua Ben Hlel*, Feten Belhadj, Fatih Gül, Muhammed Altun, Ayşe Şahin Yağlıoğlu, Isaam Smaali, Mohammad Nejib Marzouki and Ibrahim Demirtaş
Affiliation:
- LIP-MB laboratory (LR11ES24), National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Centre urbain nord de Tunis, Cedex Tunis - 1080, University of Carthage,Tunisia
Keywords:
Bioactive compounds, antiproliferative, GC-MS, HPLC/TOF-MS, leaves, Cucurbitaceae, Luffa cylindrica.
Abstract:
Background: Luffa cylindrica is a plant that is widely distributed in Africa and Asia and
can be grown in regions with tropical or subtropical climates. Few patents dealt with Loofah biological
properties, including some functional foods formulated from its leaves.
Objective: This study aimed to structurally and functionally characterize the bioactive compounds
of L. cylindrica leaves grown in two different environments.
Methods: The extracts of L. cylindrica leaves collected from two Tunisian locations: Essouasi
(LE), a semi-arid region and Medenine (LM), an arid region, were investigated for their phenolic
compounds and fatty acids using HPLC/TOF-MS and GC-MS techniques, respectively. Furthermore,
the antioxidant capacity was evaluated with DPPH, Chelating effect, Hydroxyl radical and
Superoxide anion scavenging activities while the anticancer activity against HeLa cell lines was assessed
using xCELLigence real time cell analyzer and lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay.
Results: The antiproliferative capacity of both extracts was time and dose-dependent, with LE presenting
the lowest HeLa cell index (CI = 0.035 ± 0.018, 250 μg/ml). LE also showed the best cytotoxic
capacity (56.49 ± 0.8%) and antioxidant potential (IC50 = 54.41 ± 1.12 μg/ml for DPPH and
12.12 ± 0.07 μg/ml for chelating effect). 14 phenolic compounds were detected in LE, with ferulic
acid being the major compound (5128.5 ± 4.09 μg Phenols/g), while LM had only 6 phenolics.
GCMS analysis showed the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in LE.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that L. cylindrica leaves, especially when collected from semiarid
regions, are promising for formulating nutraceuticals of interest.
