Effect of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) on metabolic syndrome: A review

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a disorder characterized by dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, abdominal fat, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and diminished high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), routinely called lady's finger, has belonged to the Malvaceae family. Okra is considered as a valuable crop due to the multiple functions of its leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds in traditional and modern medicines. Several bioactive components are presented in different parts of okra including polyphenolic compounds especially oligomeric catechins and flavonol derivatives such as quercetin. The antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, lipid lowering, and antidiabetic effects of okra have been established. Although different in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that okra has an ability to overcome metabolic syndrome symptoms, the lack of clinical studies is notable. So, further clinical trials should be accomplished to confirm the role of okra in metabolic syndrome. The aims of this review are to gather different studies regarding the potential efficacy of okra in metabolic syndrome.

Pressurized Hot Water Extraction of Okra Seeds Reveals Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Vasoprotective Activities

“…Interestingly, the concentration response curve of the Outer Skin and Inner Skin were flat, indicating that the Outer Skin and Inner Skin do not have any inhibitory effect on the α-glucosidase ( Figure 4 A,B). Consistent with previous reports, okra extracts also exhibited inhibitory response towards α-glucosidase and treatment of okra subfractions reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic animal models [ 40 , 41 ]. However, our results suggest that the antidiabetic effect of okra, at least through the inhibition of α-glucosidase, was largely mediated by the okra Seeds with little to no effect contributed by the Outer Skin and Inner Skin.…”

Anti‐hyperglycemic effect of Abelmoschus culentesus (Okra) on patients with diabetes type 2: a randomized clinical trial

“…Abelmoschus esculentus contains various nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals (e.g., glycosides and flavonoids) (Dubey & Mishra, 2017b). Studies confirmed various activities for okra such as anti‐hyperglycemic, anti‐hyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer activities (Dubey & Mishra, 2017b; Esmaeilzadeh et al, 2020; Khatun, Rahman, Biswas, & Islam, 2011). An Experimental study showed that co‐administration of okra fruit extract (both aqueous and ethanol) and metformin improved sugar profile in diabetic rats (Lu, Demleitner, Song, Rychlik, & Huang, 2016).…”

“…(Hibiscus esculentus or Okra) is a medicinal plant which belongs to Malvaceae family. It grows annually in tropical and warm climates in countries from Africa to Asia, Southern Europe, and America (Esmaeilzadeh, Razavi, & Hosseinzadeh, 2020). Okra is known as a medicinal plant since it has multiple medicinal parts like leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds (Islam, 2019).…”

“…in tropical and warm climates in countries from Africa to Asia, Southern Europe, and America (Esmaeilzadeh, Razavi, & Hosseinzadeh, 2020).…”

Protective Effect of Red Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Pods against Sodium Nitrite-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

“…Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Moench is a flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. It is also named ladies' finger, bamyah, bamieh, kacang, gumbo, dharos, bhindi, bendi [16], or bamia in a particular region of the world. Various parts of the red okra plant have many benefits to the body.…”