Chemical Interactions benefit diseased state of vascular smooth muscles

Abstract

High levels of cholesterol can increase risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, patient can develop fatty deposits in blood vessels. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. Taking high sugar,  high lipid-content diets, and bakery foods can alter body metabolism in human. . Age, cigarette smoking, alcohol use are independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome¹. Because the syndrome is complicated, its cure is also complicated like that. Generally hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic  drugs are used to solve symptoms. Apart from hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic allopathic medications, varous herbs have been used to prevent and cure of the disease². Abelmoschus esculentus (lady finger or okra) is a non-leafy, green, fruit vegetable that is widely consumed in Pakistan and abroad. Popularly called bhindi in Pakistani households, this vegetable is tender, mucilaginous and dense in nutritional content. It can be eaten raw and cooked³. Bhindi helps control diabetes.  Okra is packed with dietary fibre that helps stabilisation of blood sugar levels by regulation of the rate of absorption of sugar from the digestive tract. The anti-diabetic property of okra is also attributed to its ability of inhibition of enzymes metabolising carbohydrates, enhancement of production of insulin, regeneration of beta cell of the pancreas and increased secretion of insulin⁴. It prevents heart disease⁵. People are often affected with heart disease due to high levels of cholesterol in their blood⁶. Pectin, a soluble fibre present in lady’s finger helps lower this cholesterol and thus is helpful in preventing heart disease. Bhindi is also fairly rich in antioxidant compounds like polyphenols⁷. Polyphenol compounds, especially quercetin, helps prevent oxidation of cholesterol and blocking of arteries, preventing heart disease development⁸. People who aspire to lose weight can eat lady’s finger to facilitate weight loss. The vegetable is extremely low in calories, with a 100 grams serving containing just 33 calories⁹.