Research Journal of Medicinal Plants1819-34552151-7924Science International10.3923/rjmp.2012.500.510SharmaD. RawatI. GoelH.C. 7201267The GI tract of an individual which is inhabited by a large number of microbes,
is under constant threat from pathogens and oxidative damage. In Indian system
of medicine, several cucurbits have been widely documented for prophylactic
and therapeutic purposes to ameliorate such situations. The total flavonoids,
observed in the extract of three cucurbits, Lagenaria siceraria (Ls),
Luffa cylindrica (Lc) and Cucurbita pepo (Cp), were 17.9±1.3,
6.3±0.2 and 2.1±0.5 mg g-1, respectively. The antioxidant
activity, determined by DPPH assay, displayed that Ls, Cp and Lc had 77±1.3,
10±3 and 10±1.0% free radical scavenging activity, respectively.
Reduction Potential (RP) assay revealed the antioxidant effects for Ls,
Lc and Cp as 44±0.8, 22±.3 and 15±.8%, respectively. Maximum
activity of quenching H2O2 was demonstrated by Lc (92±1%)
as compared to Cp (78±2%) and Ls (76±1.6%). Antimicrobial activity
of Lactobacillus rhamnosus measured through generation of inhibition
zone against E. coli was augmented maximally in presence of Ls (4.4±0.3
cm), followed by Cp (4.2±.01 cm) and Lc (4.0±.03 cm). Biofilm
formation by L. rhamnosus was maximally supported in presence of Lc (absorbance
= 0.26±0) followed by Ls (0.21±.01) and Cp (0.20±.01).
Thus, these dietary cucurbits showed appreciable antioxidant activity and enhance
antimicrobial and barrier function of mucosa by L. rhamnosus and impart
protection to gut without any toxic effects.]]>Amdekar, S., V. Singh, P. Roy, S. Kushwaha and D. Dwivedi,2010In vitro antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus casei against enteropathogens.]]>1698702Arora, R., M. Kaur and N.S. Gill,2011Cucumis melo var. agrestis methanolic seed extract.]]>5146155Holder, I.A. and S.T. Boyce,199420426429Delves-Broughton, J.,200557525527Devi, G.S., A.K. Muthu, D.S. Kumar, S. Rekha, M. Indhumathi and R. Nandani,2009Luffa cylindrica (Linn) fruit.]]>1105109Dhiman, K., A. Gupta, D.K. Sharma, N.S. Gill and A. Goyal,201241626Elzaawely, A.A. and S. Tawata,2012Convolvulus arvensis L. leaves grown in Egypt.]]>43240Erasto, P. and Z.H. Mbwamb,2009Lagenaria siceraria fruits.]]>117983Gangwal, A., S.K. Parmar, G.L. Gupta, A.C. Rana and N.R. Sheth,2008Lagenaria siceraria.]]>4S234S238Gill, N.S. and M. Bali,2011Cucurbita pepo.]]>57079Goel, H.C., M. Bala, J. Prasad, S. Singh, P.K. Agrawal and R.C. Swahney,2006Rhodiola imbricata in mice against whole-body lethal irradiation.]]>9154160Hassan, H.M.M. and N.H.H., Hassan,2010In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of red grape seed extract.]]>5106115Huang, D., B. Ou and R.L. Prior,20055318411856Irshad, M., I. Ahmad, H.C. Goel and M.M.A. Rizvi,20104242247Jones, S.E. and J. Versalovic,2009Lactobacillus reuteri biofilms produce antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory factors.]]>2009Karagozler, A.A., B. Erdag, Y.C. Emek and D.A. Uygun,2008Dorystoechas hastata.]]>111400407Kleessen, B. and M. Blaut,2005933540Knekt, P., J. Kumpulainen, R. Jarvinen, H. Rissanen and M. Heliovaara et al.,200276560568Kullisaar, T., M. Zilmer, M. Mikelsaar, T. Vihalemm, H. Annuk, C. Kairane and A. Kilk,2002Lactobacilli strains as promising probiotics.]]>72215224Leman, T., H.A. Kayali and R.O. Urek,2007In vitro antioxidant properties of Cucurbita pepo L. male and female flowers extracts.]]>624951Milan, P.B., D.M. Nejad, A.A. Ghanbari, J.S. Rad and H.T. Nasrabadi et al.,2011Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse.]]>14720724Moussa, S.A.,200818225236Olsvik, P.A., T. Kristensen, R. Waagbo, B.O. Rosseland, K.E. Tollefsen, G. Baeverfjord and M.H. Berntssen,2005Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exposed to hyperoxic water during smoltification.]]>141314323Oskoueian, E., N. Abdullah, W.Z. Saad, A.R. Omar and S. Ahmad et al.,2011Jatropha curcas Linn.]]>54957Oyaizu, M.,198644307315Pattanayak, S.P., P.M. Mazumder and P. Sunita,2012In vitro antioxidant activities of Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) ettingsh.]]>6136148Premalatha, M. and P. Dhasarathan,201143137Raja, A., P. Prabakaran and P. Gajalakshmi,2010Streptococcus sp.]]>54449Ruch, R.J., S.J. Cheng and J.E. Klaunig,1989382120121Saha, P., S.K. Sen, A. Bala, U.K. Mazumder and P.K. Haldar,2011Lagenaria siceraria aerial parts.]]>7244253Sahu, R.K., A. Jain and S. Nayak,2011Momortia charantia linn: A mini review.]]>2579587Saide, J.A.O. and S.E. Gilliland,20058813521357Schetter, A.J., N.H.H. Heegaard and C.C. Harris,2010313749Shah, B.N., A.K. Seth and R.V. Desai,2010Lagenaria siceraria: A review.]]>9152157Sharaf, E.F. and R.M. Al Harbi,20116826838Shimada, K., K. Fujikawa, K. Yahara and T. Nakamura,199240945948Smith, K., A. Perez, G. Ramage, D. Lappin, C.G. Gemmell and S. Lang,2008Staphylococcus aureus.]]>5710181023Torkey, H.M., H.M. Abou-Yousef, A.Z. Abdel Azeiz and H.E.A. Farid,2009Citrullus colocynthis against Aphis craccivora.]]>340604066Umadevi, P., S. Murugan, S.J. Suganthi and S. Subakanmani,201125108113Wijeratne, S.S.K., S.L. Cuppett and V. Schlegel,20055387688774Brand-Williams, W., M.E. Cuvelier and C. Berset,1995282530Yen, G.C., H.Y. Chen and H.H. Peng,20013910451053Onasanwo, S.A., N. Singh, A.A. Saba, A.A. Oyagbemi, O.A. Oridupa and G. Palit,2011in vitro antioxidant activities of Lagenaria breviflora (LB) whole fruit ethanolic extract in laboratory animals.]]>328