In vitro antimicrobial activity of Luffa operculata

• Published in: Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology 2015-07, Vol.81 (4), p.422-430
• Main Authors: Scalia, Rodolfo Alexander, Dolci, José Eduardo Lutaif, Ueda, Suely Mitoi Ykko, Sassagawa, Suzethe Matiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Humans; Luffa - chemistry; Luffa operculata; Medicamentos fitoterápicos; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Original; OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY; Phytotherapeutic drugs; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Products with antimicrobial action; Produtos com ação antimicrobiana; Sinusite; Sinusitis; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Streptococcus pneumoniae - drug effects; Streptococcus pyogenes - drug effects
• ISSN: 1808-8694; 1808-8686; 1808-8686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2014.07.015

Luffa operculata is probably one of the most popular herbal medicines used in the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. However, its specific mechanism of action is still unknown. To evaluate in vitro antibacterial activity of L. operculata against three ordinary agents of upper respiratory tract infection: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Different concentrations of L. operculata alcoholic extract were applied to bacterial broth containing reference and community strains of the three described agents. After a 24-h incubation period, the bacterial culture turbidity was measured. The samples were then inoculated onto Mueller-Hinton and human blood agar plates. Bacterial growth was analyzed after 24- and 48-h incubation period. The test was considered negative when there was no environmental turbidity, confirmed by the absence of bacterial growth into the inoculated plates. Tests were considered positive when either turbidity changes were observed on the bacterial broth or when bacterial growth was detected on inoculated plates. Appropriate statistical analysis of the data was performed. L. operculata extracts showed antibacterial activity mainly to S. pyogenes followed by S. pneumoniae and S. aureus. L. operculata extract showed promising antibacterial activity in vitro against the studied agents. A Luffa operculata é, provavelmente, o fitoterápico mais utilizado no tratamento das rinites e rinossinusites. Apesar de amplamente utilizada pela população, seus mecanismos de ação ainda não estão completamente estabelecidos. Avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana in vitro da Luffa operculata em agentes causadores de infecções de vias aéreas superiores: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae e Streptococcus pyogenes. Foram utilizadas diferentes concentrações de extrato alcoólico de Luffa operculata em caldo de bactérias dos agentes avaliados. Após incubação de 24 horas foi realizada a leitura de turvação do meio, e posteriormente, semeadura em placas de ágar-sangue e ágar Muller-Hinton, após 24 e 48 horas de incubação. Foram considerados testes negativos aqueles em que não houve a turvação do meio, confirmados pela ausência do crescimento das bactérias nas semeaduras. Foram considerados positivos os testes que apresentaram turvação do caldo ou positividade nas semeaduras de 24 ou 48 horas. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística pertinente. Os extratos de Luffa operculata apresentaram atividade anti