The promising guide to LC–MS analysis and cholinesterase activity of Luffa cylindrica (L.) fruit using in vitro and in-silico analyses

Abstract

Abstract Background Luffa cylindrica (L.) is an annual climbing plant that produces fibrous fruit and can also be used as a vegetable in northern parts of India. Various studies have been carried out on the plant and found to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, anti-myocardial, anti-hyper triglyceride, immunostimulant, anti-allergic, and other properties. The ethanolic extract of the Luffa cylindrica (L.) fruit has not yet been subjected to LC–MS analysis for several bioactive chemicals that target neurological diseases. Oxidative stress is an inevitable situation in AD mechanisms and is a key bridge connecting various AD pathways. Results Luffa cylindrica contains various phytochemicals and showed highest alkaloid content of 21.39 ± 1.47 mg of AE/g. A total of 80 compounds were identified in the ethanolic extract from LC–MS analysis. The bioactive compounds were screened for eligibility by Lipinski's rule of five for docking with receptors responsible for causing oxidative stress-associated Alzheimer's disease. Perlolyrine was chosen to perform in-silico docking. An in vitro activity of cholinesterase showed highest inhibition at 500 µg/ml. In-silico docking of perlolyrine showed better binding affinity and score. Results revealed that out of 10 docked receptors, amyloid beta showed the highest binding affinity with an energy of − 46.1 kcal/mol showing promising drug for Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion Based on current findings, the study reports the presence of a promising, bioactive compound (perlolyrine) and in turn provides an optimistic note in exploring its biological activity in vivo with oxidative stress-related Alzheimer's disease.