Abstract
Recently, there has been a paradigm shift from conventional therapies to relatively safer phytotherapies. This divergence is crucial for the management of various chronic diseases. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a popular vegetable crop with good nutritional significance, along with certain therapeutic values, which makes it a potential candidate in the use of a variety of nutraceuticals. Different parts of the okra fruit (mucilage, seed, and pods) contain certain important bioactive components, which confer its medicinal properties. The phytochemicals of okra have been studied for their potential therapeutic activities on various chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular, and digestive diseases, as well as the antifatigue effect, liver detoxification, antibacterial, and chemo-preventive activities. Moreover, okra mucilage has been widely used in medicinal applications such as a plasma replacement or blood volume expanders. Overall, okra is considered to be an easily available, low-cost vegetable crop with various nutritional values and potential health benefits. Despite several reports about its therapeutic benefits and potential nutraceutical significance, there is a dearth of research on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of okra, which has hampered its widespread use in the nutraceutical industry. This review summarizes the available literature on the bioactive composition of okra and its potential nutraceutical significance. It will also provide a platform for further research on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of okra for its possible commercial production as a therapeutic agent against various chronic diseases.
Highlights
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), belonging to the family Malvaceae, is commonly known as Lady’s finger, as well as by several vernacular names, including okra, bhindi, okura, quimgombo, bamia, gombo, and lai long ma, in the different geographical regions of its cultivation [1]
The immature green pods of okra are usually consumed as vegetables, while the extract of the pods serves as a thickening agent in numerous recipes for soups, as well as sauces, to augment their viscosity [4,5]
The polysaccharide constituents of an aqueous okra extract were demonstrated to augment the hemoglobin content and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II and CD80/89 within the bone marrow hematopoietic cells derived from rats, as well as reduce endocytosis
Summary
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), belonging to the family Malvaceae, is commonly known as Lady’s finger, as well as by several vernacular names, including okra, bhindi, okura, quimgombo, bamia, gombo, and lai long ma, in the different geographical regions of its cultivation [1]. Okra is an annual shrub that is cultivated mostly within tropical and subtropical regions across the globe and represents a popular garden crop, as well as a farm crop It is a widely cultivated food crop and is globally known for its palatability. The immature green pods of okra are usually consumed as vegetables, while the extract of the pods serves as a thickening agent in numerous recipes for soups, as well as sauces, to augment their viscosity [4,5]. Another noteworthy application of okra fruit is their wide use in the pickle industry. This review focuses on the nutraceutical potential of Abelmoschus esculentus for various therapeutic purposes, as well as to demonstrate the benefit of okra-based nutraceuticals and their consumption
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