Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Potentials of Local Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Okra) Fruit Extracts: In Vitro Biochemical Evaluation and Comparative Analysis

The growing global prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its linked oxidative stress complications requires the exploration of natural, safe, and effective therapeutic agents. This research was deliberate to comprehensively amount the in vitro antidiabetic and antioxidant capabilities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of locally cultivated Okra (L. Abelmoschus esculentus) fruits. The antioxidant potential was rigorously assessed by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays, alongside the Appraisal of Total Phenolic Abundance (TPC). The antidiabetic efficacy was examined through the inhibition kinetics of key carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, -amylase and -glucosidase. Our findings revealed that the ethanolic extract (EEAE) exhibited significantly superior bioactivity compared to the aqueous extract (AEAE). The EEAE confirmed a robust TPC of 4.76 0.0 ى54 mg GAE/g and moderate antioxidant activity with an IC of 361.8 0.12 g/mL. Furthermore, EEAE showed potent -amylase inhibitory activity (IC = 95.3 3.2 g/mL), outperforming AEAE (IC = 600.0 15.0 g/mL). Although -glucosidase inhibition was comparatively lower, the general biochemical profile places of interest the potential of local okra pods as a functional dietary adjuvant for postprandial glycemic administration. This study delivers a scientific groundwork for the traditional usage of Aesculentus in green therapeutics and tourist attractions the need for further in vivo investigations.