Effect of <i>Carica papaya</i> Leaf Extract on Serum Lipids and Liver Metabolic Parameters of Rats Fed a High Cholesterol Diet

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, the main cause of death in the world. In this study, the lipid-lowering effect of Carica papaya leaf in rats fed with a high cholesterol diet was evaluated. Daily doses of C. papaya extract 0, 31, 62 or 125 mg/kg body weight were orally administered in 300 µl polyethylene glycol to hypercholesterolemic rats; it was also administered 62 mg/kg body weight of the extract to rats with normal diet. After a 20-day treatment, the animals were sacrificed; blood and liver were analyzed. Hypercholesterolemic rats showed an increased serum and liver cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and atherogenic index. The C. papaya extract produced a significant decrease of serum and liver cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolemic rats, but did not modify serum or liver triacylglycerols; however, the extract reduced the atherogenic index in a dose-dependent manner. C. papaya treatment decreased LDL-C and increased HDL-C in serum significantly. When the oxygen consumption was evaluated in phosphorylating and resting states, the respiratory control in hypercholesterolemic rats mitochondria was lower than in normal diet rats. However, a higher respiratory control in hypercho-* Corresponding author. A. M. Zetina-Esquivel et al. 1197 lesterolemic rats mitochondria was observed after C papaya treatment. The liver morphological data are in accordance with serum and liver biochemical values. Our data support that C. papaya has a significant hypocholesterolemic action and HDL-C raising effect on rats fed with a cholesterol-rich diet, however, the precise metabolites responsible of this effect remain unknown.

Anti‑obesity effect of Carica papaya in high‑fat diet fed rats

“…A previous study demonstrated that papaya fruit aqueous extracts lowered lipid peroxidation, increased glutathione levels, and increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, as well as improving the immune status, as reflected by an increase in IgG and IgM levels in acrylamide intoxicated rats ( 8 ). Furthermore, papaya leaf possesses hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects on rats fed a high cholesterol diet ( 9 ). Ripe papaya possess carotenoids and vitamin C ( 7 ): β-carotene, a subtype of carotenoids, exhibits an anti-hyperlipidaemic effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats, and dietary β-carotene is associated with a decreased serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats fed a high cholesterol diet ( 10 ).…”

Effects of the Seed Oil of Carica papaya Linn on Food Consumption, Adiposity, Metabolic and Inflammatory Profile of Mice Using Hyperlipidic Diet

“…One of the main effects related to reductions in body weight concomitant with the accumulation of fat, reflected in the percentage of body fat and reductions in the circumference of adipocytes, is the reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-c, and TG levels [ 41 ].…”

Implementation of Healthy Living Community Movement Supported Automatic Telehealth Machine for Public Health at Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu

“…Tropical fruits have the capacity to modify important biochemical markers that can help manage metabolic illnesses including cholesterol and blood sugar [21]. Tropical fruits such as papaya, [22], [23] watermelon, [24] and bananas [25], [26] can lower cholesterol levels.…”