In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Luffa aegyptiaca Against Selected Skin-Associated Pathogens

Abstract

Background: Skin infections caused by microorganisms are a great clinical and public health problem, especially because antimicrobial resistance is increasing and there is a need for safer natural antimicrobial agents. Luffa  It is traditional bathing with a natural sponge and is expected to contain bioactive phytochemical constituents that may act as an antimicrobial agent. Aim: This study is looking forward to evaluate the qualitative phytochemical profile and in-vitro antimicrobial effects of the crude ethanolic fruit extract of Luffa  against selected skin-associated pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Methods: Dried fruits of Luffa  were extracted using hydro-alcohol by maceration. The crude extract was subjected to phytochemical screening to detect secondary metabolites classes. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method at three extract concentrations, and . The diameter of the inhibition zone is measured in mm, and a negative control was included to confirm the absence of antimicrobial activity from the diluent. Results: Phytochemical screening showed that the presence of terpenoids/steroids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids. The ethanolic extract exhibited concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. At 0.003 mg/mL, inhibition zones of 20 mm were recorded against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa, while C. albicans showed the highest inhibition zone of 22 mm. At 0.002 mg/mL, the inhibition zones were 13 mm, 14 mm, and 13 mm against S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa, respectively, and 20 mm against C. albicans. No detectable inhibition was observed against the bacterial isolates at 0.001 mg/mL, whereas Candida albicans showed an inhibition zone of 15 mm. The negative control showed no inhibition. Conclusion: The crude ethanolic fruit extract of L.  demonstrated preliminary antibacterial and antifungal activity against selected skin-associated pathogens, with the greatest activity observed at the highest tested concentration. The antimicrobial effect may be linked with the presence of multiple bioactive phytochemical constituents detected in the extract. Further studies, including MIC, MBC or MFC, compound characterization, and cytotoxicity assessment, are required to confirm the potential use of Luffa  extract in topical pharmaceutical and dermatological formulations.