Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) as a Potential Functional Food Source of Mucilage and Bioactive Compounds with Technological Applications and Health Benefits

3D Printing of Naturally Derived Adhesive Hemostatic Sponge

Hydrogel hemostatic sponges have been recognized for its effectiveness in wound treatment due to its excellent biocompatibility, degradability, as well as multi-facet functionalities. Current research focuses on optimizing the composition and structure of the sponge to enhance its therapeutic effectiveness. Here, we propose an adhesive hydrogel made from purely natural substances extracted from okra and Panax notoginseng. We utilize 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology to fabricate the hemostatic hydrogel scaffold, incorporating gelatin into the hydrogel and refining the mixing ratio. The interaction between gelatin and okra polyphenols contributes to successful injectability as well as stability of the printed scaffold. The okra in the scaffold exhibits favorable adhesion and hemostatic effects, and the total saponins of Panax notoginseng facilitate angiogenesis. Through in vitro experiments, we have substantiated the scaffold's excellent stability, adhesion, biocompatibility, and angiogenesis-promoting ability. Furthermore, in vivo experiments have demonstrated its dual functionality in rapid hemostasis and wound repair. These features suggest that the 3D-printed, natural substance-derived hydrogel scaffolds have valuable potential in wound healing and related applications.

A superabsorbent and pH-responsive copolymer-hydrogel based on acemannan from Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis M.): A smart material for drug delivery

Combining natural polysaccharides with synthetic materials improves their functional properties which are essential for designing sustained-release drug delivery systems. In this context, the Aloe vera leaf mucilage/hydrogel (ALH) was reacted with acrylic acid (AA) to synthesize a copolymerized hydrogel, i.e., ALH-grafted-Polyacrylic acid (ALH-g-PAA) through free radical copolymerization. Concentrations of the crosslinker N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA), and the initiator potassium persulfate (KPS) were optimized to study their effects on ALH-g-PAA swelling. The FTIR and solid-state NMR (CP/MAS 13C NMR) spectra witnessed the formation of ALH-g-PAA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed superporous nature of ALH-g-PAA. The gel fraction (%) of ALH-g-PAA was directly related to the concentrations of AA and MBA whereas the sol fraction was inversely related to the concentrations of AA and MBA. The porosity (%) of ALH-g-PAA directly depends on the concentration of AA and MBA. The ALH-g-PAA swelled admirably at pH 7.4 and insignificantly at pH 1.2. The ALH-g-PAA offered on/off switching properties at pH 7.4/1.2. The metoprolol tartrate was loaded on different formulations of ALH-g-PAA. The ALH-g-PAA showed pH, time, and swelling-dependent release of metoprolol tartrate (MT) for 24 h following the first-order kinetic and Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Haemocompatibility studies ascertained the non-thrombogenic and non-hemolytic behavior of ALH-g-PAA.

Effects of dried okra extract on lipid profile, renal function and some RAGE-related inflammatory genes expression in patients with diabetic nephropathy: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) is reported to have anti-diabetic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dried okra extract (DOE) supplementation on lipid profile, renal function indices, and expression of inflammatory genes, as well as serum level of soluble Receptor for Advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in patients with DN.

METHODS

In this triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, 64 eligible patients with DN received either 125 mg of DOE or placebo daily along with DN-related nutritional recommendations for 10 weeks. Changes in kidney indices including proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lipid profile, serum SRAGE, as well as the expression of RAGE, ICAM-1, and IL-1 genes were measured over 10 weeks.

RESULTS

After adjustment for the potential confounders, between-group analyses showed no significant differences in terms of lipid profile, kidney function indices, sRAGE, and RAGE-related inflammatory genes expression after 10 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Daily 125 mg DOE along with nutritional recommendations on top of usual care did not lead to significant changes in renal function indices, lipid profile, and inflammatory genes expression in patients with DN.

Molecular docking and in vivo protective effects of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) against metabolic dysfunction in high-fat, high-sodium diet-fed rats

Okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) have been used as a functional vegetable as they contain polysaccharides, flavonoids, and other bioactive molecules that protect the body from several chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to look at the involvement of okra constituents (mucilage and flesh) in the prevention of metabolic dysfunctions induced in a rat model by a high-fat, high-salt (HF/NaCl) diet. Okra mucilage was extracted using an ultrasonic method, freeze-dried, characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tested for swelling ratio and radical scavenging activity. Okra flesh (skin and seeds) was separated from pods; characterized using SEM; and tested for dietary fiber content, phenolic profile, and radical scavenging activity. The significance of okra bioactive compounds in inhibiting human salivary amylase, glutamine : fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) was investigated using molecular docking. Rats were fed an HF/NaCl diet and orally treated daily with freeze-dried okra mucilage or flesh (100 mg per kg body weight) for 8 weeks. Glucose, insulin, inflammatory indicators (CRP, TNF-α, and interleukin 6), oxidative markers (red blood cell lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide, and superoxide dismutase), lipid profile, estradiol, feces lipids as well as femur and urine calcium were measured. The molecular docking findings showed the interaction of quercetin and chlorogenic acid, which are the most abundant phenolic compounds in okra pods, with the studied proteins, which gives an indication of the mechanism of okra's anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Okra mucilage and flesh significantly reduced glucose, insulin, cholesterol, lipid peroxidation, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and urine calcium levels while significantly increasing feces lipid and femur calcium levels. The findings suggested that okra mucilage and flesh seem to be promising candidates for protection against metabolic dysfunction.

Unlocking the potential of co-application of steel slag and biochar in mitigation of arsenic-induced oxidative stress by modulating antioxidant and glyoxalase system in Abelmoschus esculentus L

This study investigates our hypothesis that how effect of arsenic stress on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) can be alleviated through the use of waste materials such as steel slag (SS) and corncob biochar (BC). Different growth variables, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and glyoxylase enzyme activities were assessed. When okra was exposed to As, there was a noticeable decrease in seedling length, biomass, relative water content, various biochemical attributes, however, electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation in okra were enhanced. The supplementation of SS and BC-either individually or in combination-improved the growth parameters and reduced oxidative stress markers. Application of SS and BC also lowered As accumulation in roots and shoots of okra mitigating adverse effects of As exposure. Additionally, the activities of antioxidant and glyoxalase enzyme increased when SS and BC were present, concurrently reducing methylglyoxal content. Arsenic-induced stress led to oxidative damage, an enhancement in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, induced the synthesis of thiol and phytochelatins in roots and shoots. These may play a vital function in alleviating oxidative stress induced by As. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities were significantly enhanced in As-treated plants. These enhancement were further amplified when SS and BC were amended to As-treated okra. Therefore, synergistic application of SS and BC effectively protects okra against oxidative stress induced by As by increasing both antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems. Both SS, an industrial byproduct, and BC, generated from agricultural waste, are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, safe, and non-toxic materials which can be used for crop production in As contaminated soil.

Natural-based edible nanocomposite coating for beef meat packaging

Researchers have made significant discoveries in addressing the limitations of essential oils (EOs) in food packaging using encapsulation systems combined with nanoparticles (NPs). This study aimed to develop a unique coating for beef preservation using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The optimal formulation of NLCs was determined based on size, zeta potential, and loading rate, achieving a content of 71.4% savory EO. A composite coating containing NPs was then created using different concentrations of NLCs (0, 0.85%, 1.7%, 2.55%, and 3.4%). The antimicrobial effectiveness of the coatings was assessed using well-diffusion assays to identify the best coating (17 mm). This optimized coating was applied to beef samples for 12 days, and extensive evaluation was conducted over time. The results demonstrated that the encapsulation percentage was higher than 98.7%. The optimal coating (CMC-OM-ZnO NPs-NLCs 3.4%) significantly reduced microbial growth (total count: over 1.6 log CFU/g), pH, thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), and total volatile nitrogen (TVN) compared with the control samples (P < 0.05). Overall, this novel bioactive packaging enriched with lipidic and inorganic nanomaterials represents an innovative way to improve meat products' oxidative and microbial stability.

The effect of Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Okra) extract supplementation on glycaemic control, inflammation, kidney function and expression of PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, TGF-β and Nrf-2 genes in patients with diabetic nephropathy: a triple-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of okra extract supplementation on kidney function, glycaemic control, inflammation and gene expression in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). A total of sixty-four DN patients based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited in this triple-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated to receive a 125-mg capsule of dried okra extract (DOE) (n 32) or placebo (n 32) for 10 weeks. At the baseline and endpoint of the trial, kidney function, glycaemic indices, inflammation and gene expression were evaluated. Statistical analysis showed that fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and insulin resistance significantly reduced in the DOE group although between-group analysis did not show any significant difference. Also, no significant difference was observed in urine protein, urine creatinine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein between the two groups. Furthermore, gene expression of PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, transforming growth factor-beta and Nrf-2 did not affect the end of the trial in comparison with the baseline. According to the present study, DOE did not have impressive effects on kidney function, inflammation, glycaemic management and gene expression in patients with DN.

Psyllium and okra mucilage as co-carrier wall materials for fenugreek oil encapsulation and its utilization as fat replacers in pan bread and biscuit production

This study aimed to investigate the potential use of okra and psyllium mucilage as co-carrier wall materials with whey protein and gum Arabic polymers for encapsulation of fenugreek oil to mask its undesirable flavor and promote their health benefits. Particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, morphological properties and fatty acid profiles of crude and encapsulated oils were examined using zeta-sizer, SEM and GC-MS techniques. Crude and encapsulated fenugreek oils were added as functional ingredients during production of pan bread and biscuits. The quality characteristics (baking quality, color and organoleptic properties) of bread and biscuits as well as microbiological properties of bred samples were evaluated. Results showed that the forming microcapsules had sphere particles with the size of 5.05 and 31.64 μm for okra and pysillium mucilage, respectively and had smooth continuous surfaces with no holes or fractures. Fatty acids analysis showed that fenugreek oil is superior functional edible oil, rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The organoleptic properties of products were improved when fat replaced with encapsulated fenugreek oil with okra or psyllium mucilage. Likewise, encapsulated fenugreek oil showed antimicrobial activity in bread samples during storage period. On contrary, Bread and biscuits incorporated with crude fenugreek oil gained the lowest scores for all organoleptic parameters. Regarding these results, encapsulated fenugreek oil presents good fat alternatives in dough formulations with acceptable technological, sensory and antimicrobial properties. However, further investigations still needed regarding the biological activity of encapsulated fenugreek oil and its utilization as a food supplement in other food products.

Growth, ultrastructural and physiological characteristics of Abelmoschus cytotypes under elevated ozone stress: a study on ploidy-specific responses

Tropospheric ozone (O3 ) is a significant abiotic stressor whose rising concentration negatively influences plant growth. Studies related to the differential response of Abelmoschus cytotypes to elevated O3 treatment are scarce and need further exploration to recognise the role of polyploidisation in stress tolerance. In this study, we analysed the changes in growth pattern, ultrastructure, physiology and foliar protein profile occurring under O3 stress in Abelmoschus moschatus (monoploid), Abelmoschus esculentus (diploid) and Abelmoschus caillei (triploid). Our findings showed that higher stomatal conductance in A. moschatus triggered higher O3 intake, causing damage to stomatal cells and photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, it caused a reduction in photosynthetic rates, leading to reduced plant growth, total biomass and economic yield. This O3 -induced toxicity was less in diploid and triploid cytotypes of Abelmoschus . Protein profiling by sodium dodecyl sulpate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a significant decrease in the commonly found RuBisCO larger and smaller subunits. The decrease was more prominent in monoploid compared to diploid and triploid. This study provides crucial data for research that aim to enhance plant ability to withstand O3 induced oxidative stress. Our findings may help in developing a tolerant variety through plant breeding techniques, which will be economically more advantageous in reaching the objective of sustainable production at the high O3 levels projected under a climate change scenario.

A blend of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal root and Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench fruit extracts relieves constipation and improves bowel function: A proof-of-concept clinical investigation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) and Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (AE) are known as Ashwagandha and Okra, respectively, important herbs in traditional medicine for their diverse therapeutic values. WS root is an adaptogen that relieves stress and anxiety and promotes sleep. AE fruit or Okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is traditionally used to treat diabetes, gastric irritations, ulcers, and obesity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to establish a proof-of-concept evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of a proprietary blend of standardized extracts of WS root and AE fruit, CL18100F4 in relieving constipation and improving quality of life in adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight male and female participants (age: 25-60 years) with functional constipation (following Rome-III criteria) were randomized into placebo, 300 or 500 mg of CL18100F4 groups, and supplemented for fourteen consecutive days.

RESULTS

CL18100F4 supplementation significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms (PAC-SYM), Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QOL), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores. CL18100F4 supplementation improved sleep quality and reduced stress (p < 0.0001). At the end of the study, CL18100F4-500 subjects showed significant increases in serum serotonin, gastrin, and interleukin-10 and decrease in interleukin-6 and cortisol levels. Participants' hematology, total blood chemistry, vital signs, and urinalysis parameters were within the normal ranges. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This short-duration, single-site clinical investigation demonstrates that CL18100F4 supplementation is tolerable, helps relieve constipation, reduces stress, and improves gastrointestinal function, sleep quality, and general wellness in adults.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Registry- India (CTRI/2020/11/029320); Registered on 24/11/2020. Available at: http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1=49391&EncHid=&userName=CL18100F4.

Clinical efficacy and safety of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

AIMS

The recent trend toward the use of natural functional and medical supplements has motivated the focus on the search and revival of traditional medicinal plant applications for many years. As a valuable dietary crop, okra fruit (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal food. This clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the okra pod capsule as an adjuvant treatment in controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus and provide clinical trial-based evidence about its anti-inflammatory effects.

METHODS

A total of 100 type II diabetic patients, aged between 40 and 60 years, were randomly assigned into two groups of okra and placebo. The first group was administered 1000 mg of powdered okra fruit three times a day for 3 months, while the other group received a placebo capsule with the same dosage. Both groups continued the standard antidiabetic therapy (consisting of metformin and gliclazide, as well as a nutritional regimen). At the start and three months later, various factors were measured, including FBG, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, CRP, liver and renal function tests, blood pressure, and BMI changes.

RESULTS

According to the results, patients who received okra treatment exhibited a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels when compared to both the baseline and the placebo group. Patients in the okra group have lower levels of hs-CRP compared with the placebo group after 3 months of treatment. No liver, kidney, and blood pressure or other side effects were observed in the groups associated with okra treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that adjunctive consumption of okra, in type 2 diabetic patients with 1000 mg three times a day for three months, improves lipid profile, glycemic control, and chronic inflammation without any tangible adverse effects.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

IRCT.Ir (IRCT20120112008712N2). https://www.irct.ir/trial/42042 .

Effect of Drying and Freezing on the Phytochemical Properties of Okra during Storage

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is known for its high nutritional value, including its content of phytochemicals. This study aims to investigate the effect of drying and freezing conditions on the phytochemical content of okra. Our results indicated that both air-drying and freezing okra during 6 months of storage showed a significant decrease in total phenolic content, flavonoid content, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, higher levels of phytochemicals were found for okra samples treated with Na2SO4 solution when compared to untreated okra. The freezing process appeared to better preserve the content of the investigated phytochemicals when compared to the decrease after drying. Our research has determined that both immersing and freezing okra samples consistently yielded better results in the preservation of phytochemical properties over time, compared to other methods. This study is important for the food industry, as it highlights the importance of proper storage methods to retain the nutritional value of okra.

The impacts of okra consumption on the nutritional status of pregnant women, west Ethiopia

Food-insecurity and poor-quality diets remain a challenge for pregnant women. Consumption of okra has a great impact on improving the nutritional status of pregnant women. Okra plays a critical role in the prevention of malnutrition among pregnant women living in resource-limited settings. The evidence is scarce on the impacts of okra on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement of pregnant women. A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among randomly selected 224 pregnant women from June 1 to July 30, 2020. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. The MUAC was measured by using an adult MUAC measuring tape. Data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis by linear regression. The statistical significance of variables was declared at a p-value of .05, and unstandardized beta (β) coefficients along with a 95% confidence interval were computed. The proportion of pregnant women with low MUAC (≤22 cm) was 42.4%. In the multivariable linear regression model, hemoglobin concentration (β = 0.346, [95% CI: 0.153, 0.539], p = .001), food insecurity (β = -0.887, (95% CI: -1.441, -0.334), p = .002), daily consumption of okra (β = 1.269, [95% CI: 0.583, 1.956], p ≤ .001), and women working in NGO (β = 0.443, [95% CI: 0.256, 0.630], p ≤ .001) were significant variables. The prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant women (MUAC ≤ 22 cm) was 42.4%. Therefore, behavioral change communication interventions to promote okra consumption on regular basis were recommended.

Fruit yield and yield-related traits of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench] genotypes as influenced by different seed priming techniques in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Okra is a commercially important vegetable crop that grows in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate parts of the world, but its productivity is hindered by a lack of improved cultivars and delayed and erratic seedling emergence in the field. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of seed priming treatments on okra genotypes' seedling emergence and fruit yield. In this experiment, Clemson spineless, Arka Anamika, SOH701, 240,207, and 240,586 okra genotypes were primed with tap water, 50% cow urine, 200 ppm GA₃, and 0.5% KH₂PO₄ as treatments, and dry seed of each genotype was used as a control. The experiment was conducted in Dire Dawa by irrigation in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. GenStat software was used to analyse all the data collected in this experiment. Genotype and seed priming treatments significantly affected phenology, growth, fruit yield, and yield-related traits, and their interactions affected the above traits, except for days to seedling emergence and fruit number per plant. Genotype Clemson spineless (5.13 days) and seed primed with GA₃ (4.6 days) had the shortest days to 50% seedling emergence, and genotype 240,586 primed with KH₂PO₄ produced the highest fruit yield per hectare (37.78 t ha^-1). So, farmers in the study area are advised to use genotype 240,586 with KH₂PO₄ seed priming to increase fruit yield. However, research conducted at one site should be repeated at multiple sites in order to make recommendations that are relevant to the country.

Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel from Seeds of Artemisia vulgaris: Extraction Optimization by Box-Behnken Design, pH-Responsiveness, and Sustained Drug Release

The current research work focuses on the extraction and optimization of the hydrogel (AVM) from the seeds of Artemisia vulgaris using Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). The AVM was obtained through a hot water extraction process. The influence of different factors, including pH (U = 4 to 10), temperature (V = 25 to 110 °C), seed/water ratio, i.e., S/W ratio (W = 1/10 to 1/70 w/v), and seed/water contact time, i.e., S/W time (X = 1 to 12 h) on the yield of AVM was evaluated. The p-value for the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was found to be <0.001, indicating that the yield of AVM mainly depended on the abovementioned factors. The highest yield of AVM, i.e., 15.86%, was found at a pH of 7.12, temperature of 80.04 °C, S/W ratio of 1/33.24 w/v, and S/W time of 8.73 h according to Design-Expert Software. The study of the pH-responsive behavior of AVM in tablet form (formulation AVT3) revealed that AVM is a pH-responsive material with significantly high swelling at pH 7.4. However, less swelling was witnessed at pH 1.2. Moreover, AVM was found to be a sustained release material for esomeprazole at pH 7.4 for 12 h. The drug release from AVT3 was according to the super case-II transport mechanism and zero-order kinetics.

Biodegradable and hemocompatible alginate/okra hydrogel films with promising stability and biological attributes

Currently, combinations of natural polymers and semi-synthetic biomolecules have gained attention for food-packaging, drug delivery, coatings, and biomedical applications. In this work, cross-linking property of two biopolymers was employed for the fabrication of hydrogel films. Sodium alginate (SAlg) and Okra gel (OkG) were used in different ratios (95:05, 75:25 and 85:15) to synthesize hydrogel films by solvent-casting method. Formation of the films was confirmed by FTIR and Raman techniques which specified the interaction between biomolecules of SAlg and OkG. XRD pattern has shown the presence of both amorphous and micro-crystalline phases in the hydrogel films and SEM studies have shown porosity, amorphousness and agglomerated morphology. TGA and DSC analyses revealed degradation of the film at 420 °C and stability studies using PBS buffer indicated stability and hydrophilic nature of hydrogel films. In-vitro degradation test was also performed for 10 weeks through the incubation of hydrogel-films in simulated body fluid and the effect of pH and temperature was also studied. Results have shown worth-some influence of okra gel on the fabricated films. Hemolytic and antioxidant activities of the gels were also determined and being non-toxic, all these ratios were found suitable for biomedical applications; especially 85:15 have shown maximum potential.

Abelmoschus eculentus Seed Extract Exhibits In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Alzheimer's Potential Supported by Metabolomic and Computational Investigation

Abelmoschus esculentus Linn. (okra, F. Malvaceae) is a fruit widely consumed all over the world. In our study, the anti-Alzheimer's potential of A. esculentus was evaluated. An in vitro DPPH free radical assay on A. esculentus seed's total extract and AChE inhibition potential screening indicated a significant anti-Alzheimer's activity of the extract, which was confirmed through an in vivo study in an aluminum-intoxicated rat model. Additionally, in vivo results demonstrated significant improvement in Alzheimer's rats, which was confirmed by improving T-maze, beam balance tests, lower serum levels of AChE, norepinephrine, glycated end products, IL-6, and MDA. The levels of dopamine, BDNF, GSH, and TAC returned to normal values during the study. Moreover, histological investigations of brain tissue revealed that the destruction in collagen fiber nearly returns back to the normal pattern. Metabolomic analysis of the ethanolic extract of A. esculentus seeds via LC-HR-ESI-MS dereplicated ten compounds. A network pharmacology study displayed the relation between identified compounds and 136 genes, among which 84 genes related to Alzheimer's disorders, and focused on AChE, APP, BACE1, MAPT and TNF genes with interactions to all Alzheimer's disorders. Consequently, the results revealed in our study grant potential dietary elements for the management of Alzheimer's disorders.

Potential application of polysaccharide mucilages as a substitute for emulsifiers: A review

Mucilages are natural compounds consisting mainly of polysaccharides with complex chemical structures. Mucilages also contain uronic acids, proteins, lipids, and bioactive compounds. Because of their unique properties, mucilages are used in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Typically, commercial gums are composed only of polysaccharides, which increase their hydrophilicity and surface tension, reducing their emulsifying ability. As a result of the presence of proteins in combination with polysaccharides, mucilages possess unique emulsifying properties due to their ability to reduce surface tension. In recent years, various studies have been conducted on using mucilages as emulsifiers in classical and Pickering emulsions because of their unique emulsifying feature. Studies have shown that some mucilages, such as yellow mustard, mutamba, and flaxseed mucilages, have a higher emulsifying capacity than commercial gums. A synergistic effect has also been shown in some mucilages, such as Dioscorea opposita mucilage when combined with commercial gums. This review article investigates whether mucilages can be used as emulsifiers and what factors affect their emulsifying properties. A discussion of the challenges and prospects of using mucilages as emulsifiers is also presented in this review.

An okra polysaccharide (Abelmoschus esculentus) reinforced green hydrogel based on guar gum and poly-vinyl alcohol double network for controlled release of nanocurcumin

A novel green hydrogel (PGCO) of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) mucilage-reinforced poly-vinyl alcohol-guar gum (PG) cross-linked by citric acid containing nanocurcumin (NC) as a model drug is reported. The citric acid (CA) cross-linked hydrogel (PGC) without okra is also prepared. The hydrogels are characterized using FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, and TGA techniques. Okra reinforced green hydrogel (PGCO) provided comparable swelling behaviour with better mechanical and thermal properties compared to the neat PGC hydrogel. Network parameters of PGC and PGCO hydrogels are estimated using Flory-Rehner equation and strong correlation between the cross-link density and swelling behaviour is established. 45.68 % NC loading in the PGCO hydrogel is achieved. Release study in phosphate buffer (PB) of pH 7.4 provided sustained release of NC over a period of 100 h. The release study of NC followed primarily the Korsmeyer-Peppas model with less-Fickian diffusional character (n < 0.5). The average diffusion coefficients of NC and curcumin are found to be 3.52 × 10^-5 cm² s^-1, and 3.43 × 10^-5 cm² s^-1 respectively demonstrating the quick release of NC in early time, which is a pre-requisite in drug delivery. The study provides initial evidence of the usefulness of okra mucilage in green hydrogel development and drug delivery applications.

A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical uses of plant-derived biopolysaccharides

Biopolysaccharides extracted from plants are mainly photosynthetic byproducts found in leaves, pods, stems, fruits, grains, seeds, corms, rhizomes, roots, bark exudates, and other plant parts. Recently, these plant-derived biopolysaccharides have received a great deal of attention as pharmaceutical excipients in a range of different dosage forms because of several key advantages, such as widespread accessibility from nature as plant-based sources are readily available, sustainable production, availability of easy and cost-effective extraction methodologies, aqueous solubility, swelling capability in the aqueous medium, non-toxicity, biodegradability, etc. The current review presents a comprehensive overview of the uses of plant-derived biopolysaccharides as effective pharmaceutical excipients in the formulations of different kinds of dosage forms, for example gels, pastes, films, emulsions, suspensions, capsules, tablets, nanoparticles, microparticles, beads, buccal formulations, transdermal formulations, ocular formulations, nasal formulations, etc.

Mucilage polysaccharide as a plant secretion: Potential trends in food and biomedical applications

Current trends are shifting away from using synthetic compounds in favor of discovering new natural component sources that will allow them to create goods that are healthful, environmentally friendly, sustainable, and profitable. The food industry, in light of these trends, has opted to look for safe natural ingredients that will allow the production of low-fat, artificial-additive-free, gluten-free, prebiotic, and fortified foods. Similarly, the pharmaceutical and medical industries have attempted to apply natural ingredients to address the challenges related to biomaterials more efficiently than synthetic ingredients. Against this background, plant mucilage has proven to be a polysaccharide with excellent health features and technological properties, useful for both food and biomedical applications. Many studies have shown that its inclusion in different food matrices improves the quality of the products obtained under appropriate reformulations. At the same time, plant mucilage has been indicated to be a very interesting matrix in biomedical field especially tissue engineering applications since it has been emerged to favor tissue regeneration with its highly biocompatible structure. This concise review discusses the most recent advances of the applications of plant mucilage in different foods as well as its recent use in biomedical field. In this context, firstly, a general definition of mucilage was made and information about plant-based mucilage, which is frequently used, about the plant parts they are found in, their content and how they are obtained are presented. Then, the use of mucilage in the food industry including bakery products, meat emulsions, fermented dairy products, ice cream, and other foods is presented with case studies. Afterwards, the use of plant mucilage in the biomedical field, which has attracted attention in recent years, especially in applications with tissue engineering approach such as scaffolds for tissue regeneration, wound dressings, drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical industry was evaluated.

Thymol Edible Coating Controls Postharvest Anthracnose by Regulating the Synthesis Pathway of Okra Lignin

Okra has received extensive attention due to its high nutritional value and remarkable functional characteristics, but postharvest diseases have severely limited its application. It is important to further explore the methods and potential methods to control the postharvest diseases of okra. In this study, Colletotrichum fioriniae is the major pathogen that causes okra anthracnose, which can be isolated from naturally decaying okra. The pathogenicity of C. fioriniae against okra was preliminarily verified, and the related biological characteristics were explored. At the same time, an observational study was conducted to investigate the in vitro antifungal effect of thymol edible coating (TKL) on C. fioriniae. After culturing at 28 °C for 5 days, it was found that TKL showed an obvious growth inhibition effect on C. fioriniae. The concentration for 50% of the maximal effect was 95.10 mg/L, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was 1000 mg/L. In addition, it was found that thymol edible coating with a thymol concentration of 100 mg/L (TKL100) may cause different degrees of damage to the cell membrane, cell wall, and metabolism of C. fioriniae, thereby inhibiting the growth of hyphae and causing hyphal rupture. Refer to the results of the in vitro bacteriostatic experiment. Furthermore, the okra was sprayed with TKL100. It was found that the TKL100 coating could significantly inhibit the infection of C. fioriniae to okra, reduce the rate of brown spots and fold on the okra surface, and inhibit mycelium growth. In addition, the contents of total phenols and flavonoids of okra treated with TKL100 were higher than those of the control group. Meanwhile, the activities of phenylalaninammo-nialyase, cinnamic acid-4-hydroxylase, and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase in the lignin synthesis pathway were generally increased, especially after 6 days in a 28 °C incubator. The lignin content of TKL-W was the highest, reaching 65.62 ± 0.68 mg/g, which was 2.24 times of that of CK-W. Therefore, TKL may promote the synthesis of total phenols and flavonoids in okra, then stimulate the activity of key enzymes in the lignin synthesis pathway, and finally regulate the synthesis of lignin in okra. Thus, TKL could have a certain controlling effect on okra anthracnose.

Antioxidative hypoglycemic herbal medicines with in vivo and in vitro activity against C-reactive protein; a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is a double-edged sword in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The global rise in the prevalence of T2DM in one hand, and poor disease control with currently-available treatments on the other hand, along with an increased tendency towards the use of natural products make scientists seek herbal medicines for the management of diabetes and its complications by reducing C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammatory marker.

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature to identify the efficacy of various medicinal plants with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties considering their effect on CRP in animal models of T2DM.

STUDY DESIGN

systematic review.

METHODS

Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochran Library were searched using the search terms "herbal medicine", "diabetes", "c-reactive protein", "antioxidants" till August 2021. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE's) tool. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO with an ID number CRD42020207190. A manual search to detect any articles not found in the databases was also made. The identified studies were then critically reviewed and relevant data were extracted and summarized.

RESULTS

Among total of 9904 primarily-retrieved articles, twenty-three experimental studies were finally included. Our data indicated that numerous herbal medicines, compared to placebo or hypoglycemic medications, are effective in treatment of diabetes and its complications through decreasing CRP concentrations and oxidative stresses levels. Medicinal plants including Psidium guajava L., Punica granatum L., Ginkgo biloba L., Punica granatum L., Dianthus superbusn L.. Moreover, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Curcuma longa L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Morus alba L., and Ficus racemosa L. demonstrated potential neuroprotective effects in animal models of diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Hypoglycemic medicinal plants discussed in this review seem to be promising regulators of CRP, and oxidative stress. Thus, these plants are suitable candidates for management of diabetes' complications. Nevertheless, further high-quality in vivo studies and clinical trials are required to confirm these effects.

Seed production system and adaptability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cultivars in Buea, Cameroon

Okra is grown globally for its nutritional and economic benefits. Okra seeds ensure continuous production of the crop but challenges of poor production, adaptability and management may not allow the seeds to express their full potential. There are two seed production systems in Cameroon; the informal and formal. In Buea, the informal seed system is used by most farmers for seed production/utilization and farmers are reluctant to use hybrid seeds. This study aimed to assess the informal seed system of okra and evaluate the adaptability of seed produce from informal and formal systems in Buea. A survey and a field experiment were carried out. The designs for the survey and field experiment were stratified random sampling and randomized complete block design respectively. Data collection for the survey was done using questionnaires and other data collection instruments, while for the field experiment, data was collected on germination, vegetative growth parameters, incidence and severity of pests / diseases and yield. Data analysis for the survey was done using descriptive statistics, while data from the field experiment was done using a two-way ANOVA test and treatment means compared using the Tukey test at 5% probability. Results from the survey showed that women (60%) were mostly involved in seed production by mass selection from two landraces identified. Preservation of seeds was mostly done with the use of wood ash (58%) and insects were the major postharvest pest (76%). For the field experiment, at 66 DAP, Yellen recorded the highest significant number of leaves (13.417), leaf area (771.4 cm2) and the number of branches (5.64). Clemson spineless recorded the highest significant incidence (89.9%) and severity for pests / diseases while Kirikou and Landrace recorded the least incidence (0.0%) and severity. Kirikou recorded the highest significant yield (6.0 tons/ha), followed by Landrace (5.3 tons/ha). These findings reveal the performance of the landrace and provide reasons why farmers in Buea are reluctant to use hybrid okra seeds. The Landrace should certainly have adaptable genes, coupled with the autogamous nature of okra which encourages inbreeding for homozygous traits, which are dominant in expression compared to heterozygous traits.

Hydrophobically Modified Abelmoschus esculentus Polysaccharide Based Nanoparticles and Applications: A Review

Nanomaterials are indeed a nanoscale technology that deals with the creation, evaluation, fabrication, and utilization of systems at the nanometre scale by manipulating their size and shape. We consider natural polysaccharides such as promising polysaccharides, which are biodegradable, nontoxic, abundant, and inexpensive bio-polymeric precursors for preparing the materials of choice in various industries. The aim is to review different methods to produce hydrophobically modified Abelmoschus esculentus nanoparticles and study the evaluation processes of these nanoparticles as given in the literature. It proved the benefits of derivatives of gum by introducing different chemical groups. The chemical functionalization of gum mainly includes the esterification, etherification, and crosslinking reactions of the hydroxyl groups and contains a special fibre which takes sugar levels in the blood under control, providing a sugar quantity suitable for the bowels. Okra contains mucilage that helps remove poisonous chemicals and bad cholesterol, often overloads the liver. Recovering from psychological conditions, like depression, general weakness, and joint healthiness can be done with Okra. Someone additionally applied it for pulmonary inflammation, bowel irritation, and sore throat. Purgative properties okra possesses are beneficial for bowel purification. It is used to counteract the acids. Fibre okra contains a valuable nutrient for intestinal microorganisms and ensures proper intestine functionality. It also protects the mucosa of the digestive tract by covering them with an extra layer because of its alkaline nature. Nanotechnology has emerged as a critical component of pharmaceutics, with many applications in drug carriers of interest aimed at improving drug clinical outcomes such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, wound care management, atopic dermatitis, cosmeceutical, etc. Beneficial outcomes of this review are discussed briefly.

Effects of various degrees of esterification on antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities of okra pectic-polysaccharides

Pectic-polysaccharides are considered as one of the most abundant bioactive components in okra, which possess various promising health-promoting effects. However, the knowledge regarding the structure-bioactivity relationship of okra pectic-polysaccharides (OPP) is still limited. In this study, effects of various degrees of esterification (DEs) on in vitro antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities of OPP were analyzed. Results displayed that OPP with high (42.13%), middle (25.88%), and low (4.77%) DE values were successfully prepared by mild alkaline de-esterification, and their primary chemical structures (compositional monosaccharide and glycosidic linkage) and molecular characteristics (molecular weight distribution, particle size, and rheological property) were overall stable. Additionally, results showed that the notable decrease of DE value did not significantly affect antioxidant activities [2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging abilities as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)] of OPP, suggesting that the DE was not closely related to its antioxidant activity. In fact, the slight decrease of antioxidant activity of OPP after the alkaline de-esterification might be attributed to the slight decrease of uronic acid content. Nevertheless, the immunostimulatory effect of OPP was closely related to its DE, and a suitable degree of acetylation was beneficial to its in vitro immunostimulatory effect. Besides, the complete de-acetylation resulted in a remarkable reduction of immune response. The findings are beneficial to better understanding the effect of DE value on antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of OPP, which also provide theoretical foundations for developing OPP as functional foods or health products.

Assessment of heavy metal accumulation and health risks in okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) and spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.) fertigated with wastwater

In many countries like Pakistan, where crops are irrigated by wastewater, the accumulation of heavy metals is a serious problem, especially when such an irrigation is a widespread practice. The focus of this study was to know the highly toxic metals like cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) in water, agricultural soil, and crops, besides their probable risk to human health in the area of Vehari district. The physicochemical parameters were determined for the samples, including organic matter, organic carbon, pH, and electrical conductivity. Water used for irrigation, samples of vegetables for Cd, Cr, and Pb concentration, as well as transfer factor from soil to plants (TF) were analyzed for calculating the daily intake of metals (DIM) and their health risk index (HRI). The results show that the wastewater used for irrigation was contaminated with Cr (0.07mg/kg), Cd (0.054mg/kg), and Pb (0.38mg/kg). In the tube well, the concentrations of heavy metals were: Cd (0.053mg/kg), Pb (0.01mg/kg), and Cd (0.03mg/kg). Application of wastewater increased heavy metals concentration in soil and vegetables. Heavy metals concentrations in wastewater irrigated soil before sowing vegetables in mg/kg were: Pb (0.91), Cd (0.12), and Cr (0.48). After the application of wastewater, significant enrichment of wastewater was observed in Pb (1.93mg/kg), Cd (0.07mg/kg), and Cr (0.34mg/kg). Our study showed a high-risk index of food crops polluted with heavy metals and resultantly greater health risk to humans and animals. That is why preventive measures should be adopted to reduce heavy metals pollution to irrigation water and soils to protect both humans and animals in the Vehari district.

Utilizing Nutritional and Polyphenolic Compounds in Underutilized Plant Seeds for Health Application

Plants represent a significant part of the human diet. Humans have utilized every part of plants for survival, and seeds are no exception. Seeds offer high protein, unsaturated fats, fibre, essential vitamins, and minerals for various food applications. They are also a promising reservoir of bioactive compounds, where various phytochemicals, such as polyphenolic compounds, capable of maintaining and improving well-being, are present in abundant quantities. Plants from Malvaceae and Cannabaceae families are known for their fibre-rich stems that benefit humankind by serving numerous purposes. For many centuries they have been exploited extensively for various commercial and industrial uses. Their seeds, which are often regarded as a by-product of fibre processing, have been scientifically discovered to have an essential role in combating hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, cancer, and oxidative stress. Maximizing the use of these agricultural wastes can be a promising approach to creating a more sustainable world, in accordance with the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Efficacy and Mechanism of Thymol/KGM/LG Edible Coating Solution on Inhibition of Mucor circinelloides Isolated From Okra

With the increasing demand and quality requirement for the natural nutritious food in modern society, okra has attracted much attention because of its high nutritional value and remarkable functionality. However, the occurrence of postharvest diseases of fresh okra severely limited the application and the value of okra. Therefore, in this study, the dominant pathogens causing postharvest diseases such as soft rot were isolated from naturally decaying okra. It was identified as Mucor circinelloides by its morphological characteristics and standard internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA sequence. Furthermore, the biological characteristics of M. circinelloides were studied, and the inhibitory effect of thymol/KGM/LG (TKL) edible coating solution on M. circinelloides and its possible mechanism was discussed. In addition, TKL edible coating solution had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on M. circinelloides, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (EC50) of 113.55 mg/L. The TKL edible coating solution at 960 mg/L of thymol completely inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of M. circinelloides. The results showed that the best carbon source of M. circinelloides was maltose, the best nitrogen source was beef extract and potassium nitrate, the best pH was 6, the best temperature was 28°C, the best NaCl concentration was 0.5%, and the light was conducive to the growth of M. circinelloides. It was also observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) that TKL was more likely to destroy the cell wall integrity of M. circinelloides, inhibit spore morphology and change mycelium structure. Meanwhile, the activity of chitinase (CHI), an enzyme related to cell wall synthesis of M. circinelloides, was significantly decreased after being treated by TKL with thymol at 100 mg/L (TKL100). The content of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in M. circinelloides decreased significantly from 12 h to 48 h, which may cause oxidative damage to the cell membrane. The activity polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylgalacturonase (PMG), and cellulase (Cx) of M. circinelloides decreased significantly. Therefore, the results showed that TKL had a good bacteriostatic effect on okra soft rot pathogen, and the main bacteriostatic mechanism might be the damage of cell membrane, degradation of the cell wall, inhibition of metabolic activities, and reduction of metabolites, which is helpful to further understand the inhibitory effect of TKL on okra soft rot pathogen and its mechanism.

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench Pod Extract Revealed Antagonistic Effect against the Synergistic Antidiabetic Activity of Metformin and Acarbose upon Concomitant Administration in Glucose-Induced Hyperglycemic Mice

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, commonly known as okra, is one of the most widely used vegetable crops currently used for diabetes treatment as well. It is thought that the large amount of soluble dietary fibers present in okra is responsible for the slowing of the absorption of glucose from the gut. However, its role in concomitant administration with commonly prescribed medications, including metformin (MET) and acarbose (ACR) for diabetes, is unclear. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of A. esculentus pod extract (AEE) administered concomitantly with MET and ACR in the glucose-induced hyperglycemic mice model. The AEE was prepared using green okra pods. In this experiment, each male Swiss Webster mouse was administered a 2.5 gm/kg/BW dose of glucose via gastric lavage to induce hyperglycemia. The experimental animals were divided into five groups: (i) negative control, (ii) positive control, (iii) MET only, (iv) MET and ACR, and (v) MET, ACR, and AEE. The orally administered doses of the MET, ACR, and the extract were 150 mg/kg/BW, 15 mg/kg/BW, and 0.2 mL/kg/BW, respectively. We found that MET only and a combination of MET and ACR reduced glucose levels significantly (p < 0.01) compared to the positive control. On the other hand, when MET, ACR, and AEE were administered simultaneously, the synergistic antihyperglycemic action of the MET and ACR was diminished. After 150 min, the blood glucose level was 4.50 ± 0.189 mmol/L (iv) and 6.58 ± 0.172 mmol/L (v). This study suggests that taking AEE concurrently with MET and ACR would reduce the effectiveness of antidiabetic drugs; thereby, concomitant administration of these antidiabetic agents is not recommended. This study provides an essential basis for decision-making about the consumption of AEE with conventional medicine. Further study is required to find the molecular insight of drug interactions in combination therapy of medicinal plants for diabetes.

A Concise Review on Taro Mucilage: Extraction Techniques, Chemical Composition, Characterization, Applications, and Health Attributes

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is an important source of carbohydrates as an energy source and is used as a staple food throughout the world. It is rich in mucilage and starch granules, making it a highly digestible ingredient. Mucilage can act as a matrix and a thickening, binding, emulsifying, or foaming agent in food, pharmaceutical, and several other fields of research. Moreover, mucilage can be extracted from several living organisms and has excellent functional properties, such as water-holding, oil-holding, and swelling capacities. Therefore, these remarkable functional properties make mucilage a promising ingredient with possible industrial applications. Furthermore, several extraction techniques, including enzyme-assisted, ultrasonication, microwave-assisted, aquatic, and solvent extraction methods, are used to obtain quantitative amounts of taro mucilage. Coldwater extraction with ethanol precipitation can be considered an effective and cost-effective technique to obtain high-quality mucilage with suitable industrial applications, whereas the ultrasonication method is more expensive but results in a higher amount of mucilage than other emerging techniques. Mucilage can also be used as a fat replacer or reducer, dye remover, coating agent, and antioxidating agent. Therefore, in this review, we detail the key properties related to the extraction techniques, chemical composition, and characterization of taro mucilage, along with its suitable applications and health benefits.

Biological activity and development of functional foods fortified with okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

The Abelmoschus esculentus plant, better known as okra, is an interesting crop from a nutritional standpoint. The okra plant is native to the African region but can now be found throughout tropical and subtropical areas of the world. This plant, known for its healing abilities, has been used as a traditional medicine to treat several diseases and external ailments, such as wounds or boils. This article reviews the potential health benefits from okra consumption, as well as the bioactive compounds that are suggested to be responsible. Furthermore, the okra plant and its derivatives have been evaluated in the formulation and manufacture of new functional food products. The latest advances in this direction, which includes characterizing the technical properties of functional foods fortified with okra are also presented in this review. A series of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and catechins have been found in the okra plant, which were associated with numerous biological properties observed in research studies that reported potential anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, and antimicrobial effects, among others, as a result of their consumption. These potential health benefits contribute to the development of new and useful functional foods, with okra (or its derivatives) being used as the highlighted ingredient.

Immunomodulatory effects of Abelmoschus esculentus water extract through MAPK and NF-κB signaling in RAW 264.7 cells

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the world is facing a new, highly contagious virus that suppresses innate immunity as one of its early virulence mechanisms. Therefore, finding new methods to enhance innate immunity is a promising strategy to attenuate the effects of this major global health problem. With the aim of characterizing bioactive ingredients as immune-enhancing agents, this study focuses on Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), which has several previously demonstrated bioactivities. Firstly, we investigated the immune-stimulatory effects of okra leaf ethanol extract (OLE) and okra leaf water extract (OLW) on nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages. OLE significantly decreased nitrite accumulation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, indicating that it potentially inhibited NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, OLW significantly enhanced the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and NO in a dose-dependent manner. OLW also increased the expression levels of NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, potentially explaining the OLW-induced increase in NO and PGE₂ production. In addition, OLW stimulated the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs; ERK, p38, and JNK) as well as the activation and subsequent nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). This indicated that OLW activates macrophages to secrete PGE₂, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NO, inducing iNOS and COX-2 expression via activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that OLW can effectively promote the activation of macrophages, suggesting that OLW may possess potent immunomodulatory effects and should be explored as a potential health-promoting materials to boost the immune system.