Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) leaf modulates some iron profile and inflammatory parameters in Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract Background Okra is a multipurpose plant which can be consumed freshly or dried. Okra contains iron, β-carotene and other phenolic compounds with important biological properties like flavonol and isoflavonoid derivatives which may possess anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of okra leaf on some iron regulatory proteins and its anti-inflammatory properties. Methodology: Fifty (50) rats were grouped into 10 groups with 5 rats per group and each group were fed with a pre-formulated diet of Abelmoschus esculentus leaf or the standard phytoestrogen diadzein. Hepcidin, ferroportin, ferritin, IL-6, IL-2 and MIP 1β were analysed using sandwich ELISA kits from Elabscience Biotechnology, Wuhan, China. Full blood count was analysed using Sysmex haemotology autoanlyser. Serum iron was also analysed spectrophotometrically. Results The results showed that, in male rats, 40% okra leaf-fed group had a significantly higher RBC count (p = 0.0419), haemoglobin concentration (HB) (p = 0.0054), haeamtocrit (HCT) (p = 0.012) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (p = 0.0064) when compared to control rats. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, ferroportin, ferritin were all significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups when compared to the controls. However, in female rats fed with 40% okra leaf, there was significantly lower hepcidin concentration (p < 0.001) in control group when compared to 10% Okra leaf fed group. Furthermore, the 10% okra leaf-fed group also had a significantly higher hepicidin concentration when compared to the 40% okra leaf-fed groups. IL-6 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in female rats fed with 40% okra leaf when compared to the 10% okra leaf-fed group. Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MIP-1β) in male rats showed that the groups fed with 10%, 20% and 40% okra leaf (p < 0.001) had significantly higher levels when compared to control and diadzein administered group. Conclusion Our data indicated feed formulated from Abelmoschus esculentus leaf is a rich source of non-haem iron. Abelmoschus esculentus leaf also significantly imparts iron metabolism through its action on ferroportin and hepcidin. Also this study indicates that continuous consumption of Abelmoschus esculentus leaf may help act as an anti-inflammatory agent.