In addition, this review also 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.Ģ. This review presents a summary of the nutritional significance of okra, as well as the possible pharmacological applications of okra bioactive components, and to explore the possible characteristics forthe development and formulation of nutraceuticals andfunctional food. Recently, okra has been used not only for its nutritional values but, also, for its nutraceutical and therapeutic properties, owing to the presence of various important bioactive compounds and their associated bioactivities. Extracts of young okra pods have also been reported to display moisturizing and diuretic properties, whereas the seeds of this plant have been reported to possess anticancer and fungicidal properties. Furthermore, okra pods have also been recommended to cure dysentery, gonorrhea, and urinary complications. Historically, okra pods were utilized for various purposes, such as in food, appetite boosters, astringents, and as an aphrodisiac. The edible part of okra or its capsule (pod) measures approximately 15–20 cm in length and has a pyramidal-oblong, pentagonal, hispid appearance. ![]() The flowers of okra can be easily recognized due to their slight yellowish color with a crimson center. The leaves of okra are polymorphous, characterized by hairy upper and lower surfaces, whereas the petioles are around 15 cmlong. Although the flowering of the okra plant is perennial, it is highly dependent on various biotic and abiotic factors. Anatomically, the fruits, stem, and leaves of okra are covered with minute soft, hairy structures. The polysaccharides present in okra are used in sweetened frozen foods such as icecreams, as well as bakery products, due to their health benefits and longer shelf-lives. Another noteworthy application of okra fruit is their wide use in the pickle industry. The immature green pods of okra are usually consumed as vegetables, while the extract of the pods also serves as a thickening agent in numerous recipes for soups, as well as sauces, to augment their viscosity. ![]() It is a widely cultivated food crop and is globally known for its palatability. 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. Okra is believed to have originated near Ethiopia, where it was frequently cultivated by the Egyptians during the 12th century, and thereafter spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa. ![]() 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. 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. This review summarizes the available literature on the bioactive composition of okra and its potential nutraceutical significance. 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. Overall, okra is considered to be an easily available, low-cost vegetable crop with various nutritional values and potential health benefits. Moreover, okra mucilage has been widely used in medicinal applications such as a plasma replacement or blood volume expanders. ![]() 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. Different parts of the okra fruit (mucilage, seed, and pods) contain certain important bioactive components, which confer its medicinal properties. 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. This divergence is crucial for the management of various chronic diseases. Recently, there has been a paradigm shift from conventional therapies to relatively safer phytotherapies.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |