Kwok Carsten Tsun-Ka, Ng Yam-Fung, Chan Hei-Tung Lydia, Chan Shun-Wan
Department of Food and Health Science, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Foods. 2025 Jan 8;14(2):177. doi: 10.3390/foods14020177.
(L.) Moench, commonly known as okra or lady's finger, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the family. Okra is a native plant in Africa as well as a traditional medicine in Africa and India for treating different diseases and conditions. Today, okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is increasingly recognized as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile and potential pharmacological benefits. Research indicates that okra exhibits a range of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antifatigue, vasoprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, research on the active compounds in okra and evaluating efficacy in clinical settings remains limited. This review aims to consolidate existing scientific knowledge on the biological and pharmacological properties of okra, thereby encouraging further investigation into its health benefits. Ultimately, this could pave the way for the development of functional foods or health supplements that leverage okra as a key ingredient to prevent chronic diseases and enhance overall health outcomes.
锦葵科秋葵属植物（L.）Moench，通常被称为秋葵或羊角豆，是一种一年生开花植物。秋葵原产于非洲，在非洲和印度是一种用于治疗各种疾病的传统药物。如今，秋葵作为一种蔬菜被广泛食用，由于其丰富的营养成分和潜在的药理益处，它越来越被视为一种超级食物。研究表明，秋葵具有一系列生物活性，包括抗糖尿病、抗高血脂、抗疲劳、血管保护、肝脏保护、抗肿瘤、抗炎和抗菌作用。尽管秋葵具有潜在的治疗潜力，但关于秋葵中活性化合物的研究以及在临床环境中评估其疗效的研究仍然有限。本综述旨在整合关于秋葵生物学和药理学特性的现有科学知识，从而鼓励对其健康益处进行进一步研究。最终，这可能为开发以秋葵为关键成分的功能性食品或健康补充剂铺平道路，以预防慢性疾病并改善整体健康状况。
