AUCTORES
Globalize your Research
Mini Review
*Corresponding Author: Hülya Çiçek, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Medical Biochemistry Department, Şahinbey-Gaziantep, Turkey.
Citation: Hülya Çiçek, Hanım S. Kaya, Mustafa KILIÇ and Abdüssamed Yazgan, (2024), Evaluation of medicinal and nutritional effectiveness of abelmoschus esculentus L, J. Nutrition and Food Processing, 7(6); DOI:10.31579/2637-8914/213
Copyright: © 2024, Hülya Çiçek. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 28 May 2024 | Accepted: 14 June 2024 | Published: 25 June 2024
Keywords: abelmoschus esculentus l; biochemical composition; health benefits; medicine
Plants that have been used under the name of traditional treatment for many years have been supported by recent studies. We use plant species as bioactive phytochemicals in many areas of our lives. In addition to being used in cosmetics, food, medical, and industrial applications, it is a potential product for preventing diseases with the compounds found in its structures. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) with its bioavailability and phytochemical compounds has an important place among such plants.
Okra is a vegetable plant that grows in tropical and subtropical environments and belongs to the family Malvaceae. Okra, which is thought to be of African origin, is an edematous plant, especially for Pakistan and India. Okra has various uses with its seed, flower, leaf, bark, and stem parts. It is mostly used as a fresh and green soft vegetable. The edible parts are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Due to these compositions, it plays a vital role in human nutrition. Okra seeds are a potential source of oil with concentrations between 20% and 40% decoctions, containing up to 47.4% linoleic acid. Its seeds are rich in linoleic acid. It is also known to be rich in high-quality protein in terms of essential amino acid content. The soft and edible parts become mucilaginous after cooking. Carbohydrates are usually found in the form of mucilage.
In recent years, more attention has been paid to the use of metabolites found and obtained in some parts of plants, such as seeds, leaves, and bark, in medical fields and their effects on human health. The different parts of the okra plant (mucilage, seeds, and pods) contain some important bioactive components that give it its medicinal properties. These bioactive components of okra have been studied for their potential effects on various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular and digestive system diseases, as well as their anti-fatigue, liver detoxification, and antibacterial activities under the influence of polyphenols, which allow it to have antioxidant properties in its content.
In general, okra is recognized as an important food product with various nutritional values and potential health benefits, easy to procure, and low cost.
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), belonging to the Malvaceae family [1] is an economically important plant species grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world [2]. Okra is an important vegetable product in Pakistan, India, West Africa, South East, Asia, the USA, Brazil, Australia, and Turkey [3]. It is grown mostly in the Central Black Sea region in our country [4]. However, its main homeland is Ethiopia, Sudan, and Northeast African countries [5]. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants and is still cultivated in many countries and has spread over a wide area from Africa to Asia, Southern Europe, and America. It is sensitive to frost; low temperature, flooding, and drought conditions, and from different countries have certain adapted distinctive characteristics specific to the country to which they belong [6]. Okra is a multi-purpose product due to the various uses of its fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds [2]. However, it is usually consumed as a vegetable in various forms for its green soft fruits [6].
Figure 1: Okra Plant [5]
Okra, known as lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench), can be used in salads, soups, stews, or as a fried or boiled vegetable [7]. After cooking, it gets a mucilaginous consistency [2].
While fruit serves as a delicious product in kitchens, mucilage can be used as a renewable source of biodegradable materials due to its plasticity, high solubility in water, viscosity, and elasticity [8].
Okra is a multi-purpose product that is valued for its medicinal and nutritional contribution to human health. Okra fruits have a large number of bioactive compounds, such as carotene, polyphenolic, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and thiamine [9].
Okra is an important vegetable product with a wide range of nutritional quality and potential health benefits.
Nutrient Composition of Okra
Okra plays a vital role in human nutrition due to the fat, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C contained in its composition separately from the basic foodstuff.
Okra seeds are a potential source of oil containing up to 47.4% linoleic acid, with concentrations ranging from 2 to 40%. Okra seed oil is also a rich source of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid necessary for human nutrition [10].
It is known that ripe okra seeds are a good source of fat and protein and have superior nutritional quality [6]. The amino acid composition of its protein is comparable to that of soybeans, and its protein efficiency ratio is higher than that of soybeans, and the amino acid model of the protein makes it an adequate supplement for legume-based or grain-based diets. It is known that okra seed is rich in high-quality protein, especially in terms of essential amino acid content compared to other vegetable protein sources [2].
Carbohydrates are mostly found in the form of mucilage. The mucilage in young fruits consists of long-chain molecules with a molecular weight of about 170,000, consisting of sugar units and amino acids. The main components are galactose (25%), rhamnose (22%), galacturonic acid (27%) and amino acids (11%). Mucilage is highly soluble in water. Its solution in water has an intrinsic viscosity value of about 30% [11]. In addition, the mucilage of okra binds cholesterol and bile acid, which carry toxins excreted by the liver [10].
When freshly cooked at the edible stage, soft broad beans contain about 88 ml of water, 2.1 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat, 8 g of carbohydrates, 36 calories, 1.7 g of fiber, 175 mg of minerals, and 232.72 mg of vitamins per 100 g of edible portion. People also eat young and soft okra leaves. The edible leaf portion contains about 1 ml of water per 100 g, 4.4 g of protein, 0.6 g of fat, 11 g of carbohydrates, 56 calories, 2.1 g of fiber, 602.7 mg of minerals, and 44 7.25 mg of vitamins [12].
Parts of okra are powerhouse of soluble fibers in the form of pectin, which helps to lower serum cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart diseases. The other part is insoluble fiber, which helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy [10].
Okra is rich in phenolic compounds, which are divided into four and have important biological properties, such as flavonol derivatives, catechin oligomers, and hydroxycinnamic derivatives [2]. This vegetable provides an important vitamin and mineral salt input, including calcium, which is often lacking in the diets of developing countries [3]. Okra is also known for its high antioxidant activity [2].
Generally speaking, okra mucilage is suitable for industrial and medical applications. Industrially, okra mucilage is often used for the production of glase paper, and there is also a confectionery use. Okra mucilage has medical applications when used as a plasma replacement or blood volume expander [11, 12].
The Benefits of Okra for Human Health
In recent years, more attention has been paid to the use of metabolites found and obtained in some parts of plants, such as seeds, leaves, and bark, in medical fields and their effects on human health. Okra, one of these products with its edible parts, is used as a natural functional foodstuff.
The different parts of okra (mucilage, seeds, and pods) contain some important bioactive components that give it its medicinal properties. The phytochemicals of okra have been studied in terms of their potential therapeutic activities on various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular and digestive diseases, as well as its anti-fatigue effect, liver detoxification, antibacterial and chemo-preventive activities [13]. Studying the biological factors of okra plants at the cellular level is effective in preventing diseases [14]. In particular, the mucilage of okra has a valuable importance in terms of evaluating this vegetable as a potential functional food. Okra mucilage can be consumed as natural and can be considered a natural functional food in itself due to its potential health benefits [15].
Okra mucilage is a natural polysaccharide consisting mostly of the monosaccharides D-galactose, L-rhamnose, and galacturonic acid, as well as proteins and minerals [16]. The nutrients, phyto-components, minerals, Zn bioavailability, and antioxidant properties of the mucilage obtained from okra are higher than the whole okra. The mucilage of this vegetable can prevent protein deficiency and act as a natural antioxidant [17]. Okra mucilage has shown functional health properties such as antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and antiulcerogenic capacities, as well as the ability to remove toxins from the liver by binding cholesterol and bile acids, especially through in vitro and in vivo studies [15].
Flavonoids contained in okra seed compositions are plant-derived dietary components that have a significant impact on human health. Research has expanded greatly since it began in the 1930s. The disagreements about the bioavailability of flavonoids in the human body have become very clear. In recent years, it has been observed that the gut microbiome plays an important role in flavonoid action [18]. In a study conducted in vivo and in vitro on okra seeds and shells, the content of total polyphenols and total polysaccharides was found to be 29.5% and 14.8% in seeds and 1.25% and 43.1% in shells, respectively. The total flavonoids, isoquercitrin, and quercetin-3-O-gentiobiose (5.35%, 2.067%, and 2.741% respectively) have been detected only in seeds. According to biochemical markers, the anti-fatigue activity of okra seeds improves their antioxidant ability by reducing blood lactic acid (BLA) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, increasing hepatic glycogen storage, and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels. These results prove that okra seeds are the anti-fatigue part, and polyphenols and flavonoids are the active ingredients [19].
The functional properties of okra mucilage significantly induced cholesterol regulation has been widely studied; therefore, it may have the potential to be used as "heart friendly" [20].
Cancer is a disease that is the second cause of death in the world. Despite the developing technology, early diagnosis, and medicines, people also attach importance to plant-based medicines. Many studies indicate that the biological components in herbal products partially stop the progression of cancer and its negative effects. Increasing these studies will reduce the complexity of cancer treatment and prevention. Many studies have also been reported on the effects of parts of the okra plant on cancer.
A study has been reported that examines the effect of AFE on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth in vitro and in vivo by extracting and purifying flavonoids from okra flower (AFE). In this study, it was determined that AFE is a safe, natural antioxidant and exerts a significant antitumor activity on the inhibition of CRC cell proliferation and metastasis, as well as tumor growth in vivo. It also reveals that AFE inhibits CRC cell proliferation and autophagic degradation by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the activation of p53 and the induction of apoptosis and senescence [21].
Several previous studies have reported that Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra fruit) has a hypoglycemic effect [22]. It shows that various parts of okra are effective in controlling blood sugar levels and improving lipid profile and have potential in the development of Okra-based antidiabetic nutraceuticals [23]. Therefore, the use of okra mucilage as a nutraceutical therapy or adjuvant therapy in the treatment of this disease is quite promising [24]. In addition, seed and shell extracts from okra plants studied in vitro have been shown to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. Therefore, the study does not confirm the hypoglycemic effect [25]. In general, the studies conducted provide a new perspective on the structure-activity relationships of the polysaccharide in okra and give impetus to the development of polysaccharide-based therapeutics against diabetes [26].
Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) (Malvaceae) is a medicinal plant that is widely used in traditional Turkish medicine for the treatment of various diseases, such as ulcers and gastritis. An in vivo study on stomach ulcers shows that okra has strong gastroprotective effects against stomach ulcers caused by ethanol. Okra has reduced stomach injuries, lipid peroxidation, ulcerated areas, edema, bleeding, cell infiltration, and epithelial cell loss and improves antioxidant defense systems. It is suggested that okra may be a useful therapeutic antiulcer agent [27].
In general, okra is an easily available, low-cost food product with various nutritional values and potential health benefits.
Generally speaking, this review highlights the potential effects of edible okra portions on different nutritional values and health benefits. Okra contains a significant amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Besides these, it is an easily available and cost-effective natural product containing various other bioactive phytochemicals that are important for human health. The medicinal use of okra and its positive effects on diseases are observed. Therefore, more research needs to be done in terms of its pharmacological effect and mechanisms of action on many chronic diseases. The studies to be conducted on okra should focus on the development of functional nutrients and drugs for human health from okra components.
Clearly Auctoresonline and particularly Psychology and Mental Health Care Journal is dedicated to improving health care services for individuals and populations. The editorial boards' ability to efficiently recognize and share the global importance of health literacy with a variety of stakeholders. Auctoresonline publishing platform can be used to facilitate of optimal client-based services and should be added to health care professionals' repertoire of evidence-based health care resources.
Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Intervention The submission and review process was adequate. However I think that the publication total value should have been enlightened in early fases. Thank you for all.
Journal of Women Health Care and Issues By the present mail, I want to say thank to you and tour colleagues for facilitating my published article. Specially thank you for the peer review process, support from the editorial office. I appreciate positively the quality of your journal.
Journal of Clinical Research and Reports I would be very delighted to submit my testimonial regarding the reviewer board and the editorial office. The reviewer board were accurate and helpful regarding any modifications for my manuscript. And the editorial office were very helpful and supportive in contacting and monitoring with any update and offering help. It was my pleasure to contribute with your promising Journal and I am looking forward for more collaboration.
We would like to thank the Journal of Thoracic Disease and Cardiothoracic Surgery because of the services they provided us for our articles. The peer-review process was done in a very excellent time manner, and the opinions of the reviewers helped us to improve our manuscript further. The editorial office had an outstanding correspondence with us and guided us in many ways. During a hard time of the pandemic that is affecting every one of us tremendously, the editorial office helped us make everything easier for publishing scientific work. Hope for a more scientific relationship with your Journal.
The peer-review process which consisted high quality queries on the paper. I did answer six reviewers’ questions and comments before the paper was accepted. The support from the editorial office is excellent.
Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. I had the experience of publishing a research article recently. The whole process was simple from submission to publication. The reviewers made specific and valuable recommendations and corrections that improved the quality of my publication. I strongly recommend this Journal.
Dr. Katarzyna Byczkowska My testimonial covering: "The peer review process is quick and effective. The support from the editorial office is very professional and friendly. Quality of the Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on cardiology that is useful for other professionals in the field.
Thank you most sincerely, with regard to the support you have given in relation to the reviewing process and the processing of my article entitled "Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of The Prostate Gland: A Review and Update" for publication in your esteemed Journal, Journal of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics". The editorial team has been very supportive.
Testimony of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology: work with your Reviews has been a educational and constructive experience. The editorial office were very helpful and supportive. It was a pleasure to contribute to your Journal.
Dr. Bernard Terkimbi Utoo, I am happy to publish my scientific work in Journal of Women Health Care and Issues (JWHCI). The manuscript submission was seamless and peer review process was top notch. I was amazed that 4 reviewers worked on the manuscript which made it a highly technical, standard and excellent quality paper. I appreciate the format and consideration for the APC as well as the speed of publication. It is my pleasure to continue with this scientific relationship with the esteem JWHCI.
This is an acknowledgment for peer reviewers, editorial board of Journal of Clinical Research and Reports. They show a lot of consideration for us as publishers for our research article “Evaluation of the different factors associated with side effects of COVID-19 vaccination on medical students, Mutah university, Al-Karak, Jordan”, in a very professional and easy way. This journal is one of outstanding medical journal.
Dear Hao Jiang, to Journal of Nutrition and Food Processing We greatly appreciate the efficient, professional and rapid processing of our paper by your team. If there is anything else we should do, please do not hesitate to let us know. On behalf of my co-authors, we would like to express our great appreciation to editor and reviewers.
As an author who has recently published in the journal "Brain and Neurological Disorders". I am delighted to provide a testimonial on the peer review process, editorial office support, and the overall quality of the journal. The peer review process at Brain and Neurological Disorders is rigorous and meticulous, ensuring that only high-quality, evidence-based research is published. The reviewers are experts in their fields, and their comments and suggestions were constructive and helped improve the quality of my manuscript. The review process was timely and efficient, with clear communication from the editorial office at each stage. The support from the editorial office was exceptional throughout the entire process. The editorial staff was responsive, professional, and always willing to help. They provided valuable guidance on formatting, structure, and ethical considerations, making the submission process seamless. Moreover, they kept me informed about the status of my manuscript and provided timely updates, which made the process less stressful. The journal Brain and Neurological Disorders is of the highest quality, with a strong focus on publishing cutting-edge research in the field of neurology. The articles published in this journal are well-researched, rigorously peer-reviewed, and written by experts in the field. The journal maintains high standards, ensuring that readers are provided with the most up-to-date and reliable information on brain and neurological disorders. In conclusion, I had a wonderful experience publishing in Brain and Neurological Disorders. The peer review process was thorough, the editorial office provided exceptional support, and the journal's quality is second to none. I would highly recommend this journal to any researcher working in the field of neurology and brain disorders.
Dear Agrippa Hilda, Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, Editorial Coordinator, I trust this message finds you well. I want to extend my appreciation for considering my article for publication in your esteemed journal. I am pleased to provide a testimonial regarding the peer review process and the support received from your editorial office. The peer review process for my paper was carried out in a highly professional and thorough manner. The feedback and comments provided by the authors were constructive and very useful in improving the quality of the manuscript. This rigorous assessment process undoubtedly contributes to the high standards maintained by your journal.
International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews. I strongly recommend to consider submitting your work to this high-quality journal. The support and availability of the Editorial staff is outstanding and the review process was both efficient and rigorous.
Thank you very much for publishing my Research Article titled “Comparing Treatment Outcome Of Allergic Rhinitis Patients After Using Fluticasone Nasal Spray And Nasal Douching" in the Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology. As Medical Professionals we are immensely benefited from study of various informative Articles and Papers published in this high quality Journal. I look forward to enriching my knowledge by regular study of the Journal and contribute my future work in the field of ENT through the Journal for use by the medical fraternity. The support from the Editorial office was excellent and very prompt. I also welcome the comments received from the readers of my Research Article.
Dear Erica Kelsey, Editorial Coordinator of Cancer Research and Cellular Therapeutics Our team is very satisfied with the processing of our paper by your journal. That was fast, efficient, rigorous, but without unnecessary complications. We appreciated the very short time between the submission of the paper and its publication on line on your site.
I am very glad to say that the peer review process is very successful and fast and support from the Editorial Office. Therefore, I would like to continue our scientific relationship for a long time. And I especially thank you for your kindly attention towards my article. Have a good day!
"We recently published an article entitled “Influence of beta-Cyclodextrins upon the Degradation of Carbofuran Derivatives under Alkaline Conditions" in the Journal of “Pesticides and Biofertilizers” to show that the cyclodextrins protect the carbamates increasing their half-life time in the presence of basic conditions This will be very helpful to understand carbofuran behaviour in the analytical, agro-environmental and food areas. We greatly appreciated the interaction with the editor and the editorial team; we were particularly well accompanied during the course of the revision process, since all various steps towards publication were short and without delay".
I would like to express my gratitude towards you process of article review and submission. I found this to be very fair and expedient. Your follow up has been excellent. I have many publications in national and international journal and your process has been one of the best so far. Keep up the great work.
We are grateful for this opportunity to provide a glowing recommendation to the Journal of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We found that the editorial team were very supportive, helpful, kept us abreast of timelines and over all very professional in nature. The peer review process was rigorous, efficient and constructive that really enhanced our article submission. The experience with this journal remains one of our best ever and we look forward to providing future submissions in the near future.
I am very pleased to serve as EBM of the journal, I hope many years of my experience in stem cells can help the journal from one way or another. As we know, stem cells hold great potential for regenerative medicine, which are mostly used to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives. I think Stem Cell Research and Therapeutics International is a great platform to publish and share the understanding towards the biology and translational or clinical application of stem cells.
I would like to give my testimony in the support I have got by the peer review process and to support the editorial office where they were of asset to support young author like me to be encouraged to publish their work in your respected journal and globalize and share knowledge across the globe. I really give my great gratitude to your journal and the peer review including the editorial office.
I am delighted to publish our manuscript entitled "A Perspective on Cocaine Induced Stroke - Its Mechanisms and Management" in the Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery. The peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal are excellent. The manuscripts published are of high quality and of excellent scientific value. I recommend this journal very much to colleagues.
Dr.Tania Muñoz, My experience as researcher and author of a review article in The Journal Clinical Cardiology and Interventions has been very enriching and stimulating. The editorial team is excellent, performs its work with absolute responsibility and delivery. They are proactive, dynamic and receptive to all proposals. Supporting at all times the vast universe of authors who choose them as an option for publication. The team of review specialists, members of the editorial board, are brilliant professionals, with remarkable performance in medical research and scientific methodology. Together they form a frontline team that consolidates the JCCI as a magnificent option for the publication and review of high-level medical articles and broad collective interest. I am honored to be able to share my review article and open to receive all your comments.
“The peer review process of JPMHC is quick and effective. Authors are benefited by good and professional reviewers with huge experience in the field of psychology and mental health. The support from the editorial office is very professional. People to contact to are friendly and happy to help and assist any query authors might have. Quality of the Journal is scientific and publishes ground-breaking research on mental health that is useful for other professionals in the field”.
Dear editorial department: On behalf of our team, I hereby certify the reliability and superiority of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews in the peer review process, editorial support, and journal quality. Firstly, the peer review process of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is rigorous, fair, transparent, fast, and of high quality. The editorial department invites experts from relevant fields as anonymous reviewers to review all submitted manuscripts. These experts have rich academic backgrounds and experience, and can accurately evaluate the academic quality, originality, and suitability of manuscripts. The editorial department is committed to ensuring the rigor of the peer review process, while also making every effort to ensure a fast review cycle to meet the needs of authors and the academic community. Secondly, the editorial team of the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is composed of a group of senior scholars and professionals with rich experience and professional knowledge in related fields. The editorial department is committed to assisting authors in improving their manuscripts, ensuring their academic accuracy, clarity, and completeness. Editors actively collaborate with authors, providing useful suggestions and feedback to promote the improvement and development of the manuscript. We believe that the support of the editorial department is one of the key factors in ensuring the quality of the journal. Finally, the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is renowned for its high- quality articles and strict academic standards. The editorial department is committed to publishing innovative and academically valuable research results to promote the development and progress of related fields. The International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews is reasonably priced and ensures excellent service and quality ratio, allowing authors to obtain high-level academic publishing opportunities in an affordable manner. I hereby solemnly declare that the International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews has a high level of credibility and superiority in terms of peer review process, editorial support, reasonable fees, and journal quality. Sincerely, Rui Tao.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions I testity the covering of the peer review process, support from the editorial office, and quality of the journal.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, we deeply appreciate the interest shown in our work and its publication. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you. The peer review process, as well as the support provided by the editorial office, have been exceptional, and the quality of the journal is very high, which was a determining factor in our decision to publish with you.
The peer reviewers process is quick and effective, the supports from editorial office is excellent, the quality of journal is high. I would like to collabroate with Internatioanl journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews journal clinically in the future time.
Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the trust placed in our team for the publication in your journal. It has been a true pleasure to collaborate with you on this project. I am pleased to inform you that both the peer review process and the attention from the editorial coordination have been excellent. Your team has worked with dedication and professionalism to ensure that your publication meets the highest standards of quality. We are confident that this collaboration will result in mutual success, and we are eager to see the fruits of this shared effort.
