Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus),
Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench) of the Malvaceae family (also known as Hibiscus esculentus) is an annual herb that is more commonly known in several other vernacular names as ladies finger, okra, bhindi, or gumbo
Generally, okra is a high-value crop because it represents a source of nutrients that are important to human health, e.g., vitamins, potassium, calcium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic and oleic acids, and also of bioactive chemicals
The profile of the bioactive components in different parts of okra is well documented: for okra pod polyphenolic compounds, carotene, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, oxalic acid, and amino acids or okra seed polyphenolic compounds, mainly oligomeric catechins and flavonol derivatives, protein (i.e., high lysine levels), and oil fraction (in particular, its derived oil is rich in palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids) for root carbohydrates and flavonol glycosides , and manly minerals, tannins, and flavonol glycosides for leaves
Several studies reported antioxidant properties of okra .
For instance studies were conducted on the extraction and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from okra flowers: the extract exhibits a strong DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, which makes it a potential functional ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Focus here is the role of okra in the management and treatment of diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic health disease attributed to risk factors like obesity, physical inactivity, ageing, and genetic predisposition; in particular diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic disease and it has affected considerable percentage of population throughout the world, associating with considerable morbidity and mortality
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