Phytochemical Analysis of Acqueous Extract of Leaf of Luffa Aergyptiaca Mill

The medicinal plant investigated in this study was Luffa aergyptiaca Mill. The leaves of the plants were collected from their natural habitat in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.The plant sample was identified by a Herbarium, in the department of Plant Science,University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria.The harvested leaves were washed with water while still fresh and cut into small portions. The materials were then air –dried under a tree shade at room temperature for one week, but in the sun when the humidity was too high. Phytochemical screening was carried out. Aqueous extract of the leaves of Luffa aegyptiaca was screened with the aim of assessing the presence of some biologically active compounds. Pulverized leaves sample of Luffa aegyptiaca was extracted with water; the filtrate was concentrated on water bath and then air-dried at 25oC. The plant was found to contain, saponins , tannins, flavonoids , triterpenes ,Caridiac glycosides, carbohydrates and reducing sugar. The significance of this plant in traditional medicine and the importance of the distribution of these constituents were discussed with respect to the role of these plants in ethnomedicine.

Key Words: luffa aegyptiaca mill, phytochemical analysis