Luffa echinata: healer plant or potential killer.

Bristly luffa (Luffa echinata), a member of the cucurbitaceae family is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant, which has been used in the traditional system of medicine for variety of symptoms. The active constituents like cucurbitacin, saponin, echinatin, ß-Sitosterol, oleanolic acid and flavonoids have important pathophysiological effects on human body. However, there is no earlier published report of any toxicity on humans. We report a case of a 50-year-old gentleman, who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding, deranged liver function and shock following consumption of dried fruits of Luffa echinata soaked overnight in water. He had antral gastritis and duodenal erosions on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and was managed conservatively and recovered completely.

Efeitos da Luffa operculata sobre o epitélio do palato de rã: aspectos histológicos / Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features

Luffa operculata é o nome botânico da buchinha-do-norte ou cabacinha, uma planta medicinal usada popularmente no tratamento das rinites e rinossinusites. Na Europa e nos EUA, está em medicamentos homeopáticos. No Brasil, a infusão (chá) do fruto seco de Luffa operculata é utilizada para inalacão ou instilacão nasal, resultando em liberacão profusa de muco que alivia os sintomas nasossinusais, mas há relatos freqüentes de irritacão nasal, epistaxe e anosmia. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Avaliamos os efeitos da infusão de Luffa operculata em diferentes concentracões, no modelo experimental do palato isolado de rã, examinando 46 palatos após imersão. Quatro grupos (n=10) foram testados com infusão feita em Ringer-rã (solucão isotônica): controle; 60mg/l; 600mg/l e 1200mg/l. Um grupo foi testado em água (600mg/l H2O, n=6). Coletamos amostras do epitélio para estudo histológico à microscopia-de-luz e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. RESULTADOS: Nos palatos tratados, os achados à microscopia-de-luz mostram lesões epiteliais de padrão tóxico, dose-dependentes. Na microscopia eletrônica, aumento dos espacos intercelulares e ruptura de tight junctions apontam para anormalidade no transporte iônico e de fluidos. CONCLUSÕES: A infusão de Luffa operculata, nas concentracões utilizadas popularmente, promove alteracões significantes na estrutura e ultraestrutura epitelial deste modelo ex vivo de mucosa respiratória.

Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features.

UNLABELLED: Luffa operculata is the botanical name of buchinha-do-norte or cabacinha, which is a medicinal plant widely used for the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. In Europe and USA, it is available in homeopathic medicines. In Brazil, Luffa operculata dry fruit infusion is inhaled or instilled into the nose releasing profuse mucous secretion, thus relieving nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, this often may cause irritation, epistaxis or anosmia. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The effects of Luffa operculata were evaluated in different concentration infusions, in isolated frog palate preparation, testing 46 palates after immersion. Four groups (n = 10) were tested with the infusion prepared with frog Ringer (isotonic): control; 60 mg/L; 600 mg/L; and 1200 mg/L. An additional group was tested using the infusion with water (600 mg/L H2O, n = 6). Epithelial samples were harvested to be studied under light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy. RESULTS: In treated palates, light microscopy findings were dose-dependent standard toxic changes. Electron transmission microscopy showed enlargement of intercellular spaces and tight junctions disruption, pointing to ion-fluid transport abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Luffa operculata infusion in currently used doses can promote significant structural and ultrastructural changes in the epithelium of this ex vivo model of respiratory mucosa.