Abstract: Luffa cylindrical(L.) Roem. is a common medicine food homologous plant. Its fruits, leaves, collaterals, vines, seeds and roots can be used as medicine. Each medicinal part has significant biological activity in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, improving heart function, protecting liver, lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipid, immune regulation and anti-cancer. In this paper, the main active components and pharmacological effects of different parts of luffa were reviewed, and the potential of luffa in the treatment of liver injury, obesity and cancer was analyzed. In addition, the feasibility of luffa as a source of food-derived peptide and natural α-glucosidase inhibitor was described. Finally, the future research direction of luffa was prospected, in order to provide theoretical basis for the deep development and utilization of the medicinal resources of luffa.