title: In vitro antimicrobial activity of Luffa operculata.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  L. operculata extracts showed antibacterial activity mainly to S. pyogenes followed by S. pneumoniae and S. aureus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L. operculata extract showed promising antibacterial activity in vitro against the studied agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhynolaryngology, Irmandade da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Surgery Research, Medical Sciences School, Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: rodolfoscalia@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Rodolfo Alexander
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Scalia
authors.affiliation: Medical Sciences School, Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Eduardo Lutaif
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dolci
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathological Sciences, Medical Sciences School, Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suely Mitoi Ykko
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathological Sciences, Medical Sciences School, Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suzethe Matiko
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sassagawa
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D029776:Luffa / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Luffa operculata; Medicamentos fitoterápicos; Phytotherapeutic drugs; Products with antimicrobial action; Produtos com ação antimicrobiana; Sinusite; Sinusitis