Abelmoschus

Abelmoschus, also known as musk mallow, is a plant genus belonging to the mallow family (Malvaceae), which includes several species that are native to tropical and subtropical regions. The best-known species of this genus is Abelmoschus esculentus, also known as okra or lady's fingers, which is valued for its use in cooking and for medicinal applications. The fruits and seeds of Abelmoschus species are traditionally used both as food and in naturopathy.

What benefits does Abelmoschus offer?

Abelmoschus offers a variety of potential health benefits that are supported by various scientific studies:

Digestive support: The mucilage in the okra fruit has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and can help relieve stomach and intestinal problems such as irritable bowel or gastritis. Its high fiber content also promotes healthy digestion by supporting bowel movements and preventing constipation (1,2,3).

Blood sugar control: Studies suggest that consuming Abelmoschus fruits can have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Okra appears to slow the absorption of sugar in the intestine and showed an improvement in insulin sensitivity in animal studies, which could be of particular interest to people with diabetes (1,4).

Cholesterol-lowering: In studies, the high fiber content of Abelmoschus fruits contributed to lowering cholesterol levels by reducing the absorption of fat and cholesterol in the intestine. This could potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (1,2).

Antioxidant effects: Abelmoschus contains a variety of antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which help reduce oxidative stress in the body (1,5). Oxidative stress is associated with aging as well as the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease (6).

Antibacterial: Some studies suggest that extracts from Abelmoschus have inhibitory effects on various bacteria, which could make them potentially useful in fighting various diseases (5).

Energizing effects: Active compounds in Abelmoschus could help reduce fatigue, speed up recovery, and protect the body from cell damage by improving energy metabolism and antioxidant mechanisms (1,7).

How does Abelmoschus work?

The mode of action of Abelmoschus can be attributed to the bioactive compounds contained in the plant. Abelmoschus contains high amounts of mucilage, which forms a protective layer on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and can thereby relieve irritation. This mucilage-forming property supports the regeneration of the digestive tract and protects against harmful influences (1,2,3). The polyphenols and flavonoids it contains act as antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and can prevent cell damage. As a result, they can exert cell-protective effects in the body (1,5,6). The blood sugar-lowering effect of Abelmoschus is explained by its ability to slow the absorption of glucose in the intestine. (1,4,8). Superoxide dismutase helps reduce physical fatigue and promote recovery. This is shown by the fact that during the recovery phase, the lactate level (blood lactic acid, BLA) and the BUN level (a marker of protein breakdown) in the blood are lowered. At the same time, the MDA level in the liver (a marker of cell damage caused by oxidation) is reduced, while positive values such as hemoglobin (HG) and glutathione (GSH, also an antioxidant) in the liver increase.

Intake and use

Abelmoschus, especially the okra fruit, is used in many different preparations, both in cooking and in traditional medicine. Okra pods are commonly used in soups, stews, and curries and are a staple food in many tropical countries. Abelmoschus extracts and powders are used in naturopathy as dietary supplements for their digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. Oil can be obtained from the seeds of Abelmoschus, which also has medicinal and cosmetic applications.

What risks are associated with the use of Abelmoschus?

The use of Abelmoschus is generally considered safe. However, there are some aspects that should be kept in mind:

  • Allergic reactions: In rare cases, people may react allergically to Abelmoschus. Symptoms of an allergy can include skin rashes, itching, or difficulty breathing.
  • Oxalate content: Abelmoschus contains oxalates, which could increase the risk of kidney stone formation when consumed in excess. People prone to kidney stones should therefore keep their consumption moderate.
  • Interactions: Abelmoschus can affect the absorption of medications in the intestine. In particular, people taking blood sugar-lowering medications or cholesterol-lowering agents should consult their doctor before taking Abelmoschus products to avoid possible interactions.

Sources:

  1. \1) Elkhalifa, A. E. O., Alshammari, E., Adnan, M., Alcantara, J. C., Awadelkareem, A. M., Eltoum, N. E., Mehmood, K., Panda, B. P., & Ashraf, S. A. (2021). Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) as a Potential Dietary Medicine with Nutraceutical Importance for Sustainable Health Applications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(3), 696. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030696
  2. \2) Soma Das G.N., Ghosh L.K. Okra and its various applications in Drug Delivery, Food Technology, Health Care and Pharmacological Aspects—A Review. J. Pharm. Sci. Res. 2019;11:2139–2147.
  3. \3) Habtamu Fekadu Gemede, Negussie Ratta, Gulelat Desse Haki, Ashagrie Z. Woldegiorgis, Fekadu Beyene. (2015). Nutritional Quality and Health Benefits of “Okra” (Abelmoschus esculentus): A Review. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 4(2), 208-215. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20150402.22
  4. \4) Liu, J., Zhao, Y., Wu, Q., John, A., Jiang, Y., Yang, J., Liu, H., & Yang, B. (2018). Structure characterisation of polysaccharides in vegetable "okra" and evaluation of hypoglycemic activity. Food chemistry, 242, 211–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.09.051
  5. \5) Tsumbu, C. N., Deby-Dupont, G., Tits, M., Angenot, L., Franck, T., Serteyn, D., & Mouithys-Mickalad, A. (2011). Antioxidant and antiradical activities of Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae) leaves and other selected tropical green vegetables investigated on lipoperoxidation and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) activated monocytes. Nutrients, 3(9), 818–838. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu3090818
  6. \6) Reddy V. P. (2023). Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease. Biomedicines, 11(11), 2925. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11112925
  7. \7) Xia, F., Zhong, Y., Li, M., Chang, Q., Liao, Y., Liu, X., & Pan, R. (2015). Antioxidant and Anti-Fatigue Constituents of Okra. Nutrients, 7(10), 8846–8858. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7105435
  8. \8) Aligita, Widhya & Muhsinin, S. & Susilawati, Elis & Dahlia, & Pratiwi, D.S. & Aprilliani, Dita & Artarini, A. & Adnyana, I Ketut. (2019). Antidiabetic activity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) fruit extract. Rasayan Journal of Chemistry. 12. 157-167. 10.31788/RJC.2019.1215059.