Musk Okra

Generic name: Abelmoschus Moschatus Medik., Hibiscus Abelmoschus L.
Brand names: Ambrette, Gumbo Musque, Musk Ambrette, Musk Mallow, Muskdana

Usage of Musk Okra

Antimicrobial

In vitro data

Weak activity against bacterial pathogens, varying according to extraction method, has been demonstrated. Antibacterial assays of ambrette seed oil against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria support earlier studies by demonstrating an inhibitory effect on Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis, with less activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Farnesol acetate and ambrettolide were observed to have sufficient binding energy towards the beta-lactamase TEM-72 and dihydrofolate reductase protein.(Arokiyaraj 2015)

Two of the trypsin inhibitors identified in ambrette seeds have been found to have significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus flavus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata, and Aspergillus niger, but not strains of Fusarium, Alternaria, Mucor, or Penicillium.(Dokka 2015, Gul 2011) Activity against Trichosporon species has also been demonstrated.(Uniyal 2013)

Antioxidant

Animal and in vitro data

The radical-scavenging and antioxidant activity of farnesol, as well as the total antioxidant content, have been demonstrated in mice and by chemical assays, respectively.(Gul 2011, Jahangir 2005)

Ambrette isolated from A. moschatus exerts promising protective effects against adriamycin-mediated acute kidney injury through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis pathways in Wistar rats.(Amarasiri 2022)

Cancer

In vitro data

Antiproliferative activity against colorectal and retinoblastoma cell lines has been demonstrated for musk okra extracts.(Gul 2011) Anticlastogenic properties have also been described for farnesol extracted from the seeds.(Jahangir 2005)

Diabetes

Animal and in vitro data

A limited number of researchers have evaluated the potential application of the hexahydroxyflavone myricetin in diabetes. Improved glucose metabolism and decreased insulin resistance in rats have been demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner. The magnitude of these results are similar to that rosiglitazone.(Liu 2005, Liu 2006, Liu 2010) Two compounds, hibiscone B and N-trans-feruloyl tyramine from A. moschatus showed significant alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 121.7±3.9 and 4.3±0.5 mcg/mL, respectively, compared to those of a positive control, acarbose, which had an IC50 value of 183.5±12.2 mcg/mL.(Dung 2021)

A review investigating enzyme inhibitors from natural sources with antidiabetic activity noted that myricetin, an isolated compound from A. moschatus had an IC50 of 0.38 mM in vitro, inhibiting rat intestinal alpha‐glucosidase and porcine alpha‐amylase by 29% and 64%, respectively.(Alam 2019)

Nephroprotective effects

Animal data

The lyophilized powder of A. moschatus was found to exert nephroprotective effects against adriamycin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.(Amarasiri 2022)

In a zinc-induced model of urolithiasis in rats, antiurolithiatic activity was demonstrated with doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of a methanolic A. moschatus seed extract and 400 mg/kg of a chloroform A. moschatus seed extract.(Pawar 2016)

Musk Okra side effects

Musk okra ambrette and musk okra ketone are both found in cosmetics and aftershave lotions. They have been shown to cause photosensitivity and dermatitis in sensitive individuals, although case reports of contact dermatitis are lacking.(Chuah 2013) Dizziness and headache have been associated with doses greater than 3 drams (2.25 teaspoons) of musk okra seed.(Duke 2003)

Before taking Musk Okra

Avoid use. Documented adverse reactions have occurred with benzene extractives from the flowers of the related species Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, including an anti-implantation effect.(Lans 2007, Pal 1985) A. moschatus is used as a traditional medicine for infertility and childbirth in the Caribbean.(Zietz 2008) Ambrette and related "nitro musks" are highly lipophilic and have been shown to persist in human breast milk, presumably following absorption through the skin from dermally applied cosmetics.(Zietz 2008)

How to use Musk Okra

Clinical evidence is lacking to provide dosing recommendations.

Warnings

Information regarding the toxicity of A. moschatus is limited. Ambrettolide is reported to be nontoxic.(Leung 2003) An acute and 28-day repeated-dose oral toxicity assessment of A. moschatus in healthy Wistar rats concluded that hexane and aqueous extracts of A. moschatus were completely nontoxic, whereas butanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed statistically significant changes in some of the hematological parameters, as well as in the relative organ weight of the kidneys.(Amarasiri 2020)

What other drugs will affect Musk Okra

None well documented.

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