Current Trends in Technology and Science ISSN : 2279-0535. Volume : II, Issue : III Copyright © 2013 CTTS.IN, All right reserved 262 Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Carica Papaya Seed in Albino Rats fed with High Fat Diet Nwangwa, E.K 1 . 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Health Science, Delta State University, P.M.B 001, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. drezekingx@yahoo.com Ekhoye, E.I. 1 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Health Science, Delta State University, P.M.B 001, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. tareonline@yahoo.com Abstract — The global prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly and high dietary fat intake is a major risk factor for the development of obesity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Carica papaya seed aqueous extract on serum lipid profile in Wistar rat fed with high fat diet (HFD) and to compare it with a standard hypolipidaemic drug simvastatin. Thirty healthy albino Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups of 6 animals each. . The groups were treated as follows: Group A: normal diet (ND); Group B: HFD (vanaspati ghee + coconut oil mixture in ratio of 3:2 at 10 ml/kg/day); Group C: HFD+ C. papaya (200 mg/kg/day); Group D: HFD + C. papaya (300 mg/kg/day); Group E: HFD + simvastatin (1.8 mg/kg/day). Lipid profile was estimated after 5 weeks of treatment. Result show that aqueous extract of Carica papaya showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in total cholesterol (g/dl), Triglyceride (g/dl), Low density lipoprotein (g/dl) levels and significant (p<0.05) increase in high density lipoproteins (g/dl) in hypercholesteromic rats. Therefore, aqueous extract of Carica papaya have lipid lowering potential and could be explored further for possible use in management of hypercholesterolaemia. Keyword —Carica papaya, High fat diet, Lipid profile, Hyperlipidemia, Simvastatin 1. INTRODUCTION The global prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly among adults as well as among children and adolescents in places where high dietary fat intake is a major risk factor for the development of obesity [1]. Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide; it is correlated with various comorbidities, among which the most relevant are dyslipidemia [2], diabetes mellitus T2DM [3], fatty liver (which can later progress to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [4], cardiovascular (CV) diseases such as heart failure (HF) and coronary heart disease (CHD) [5]. In recent times, focus on plant research has increased all over the world and a large body of evidence has to show immense potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems [6]. Fruits have been part of human diet and food supplement over the years. The rise in nutritional importance of fruit has been stimulated by range of degenerative disease prevalent in many part of the world. However, fruits are increasingly becoming popular in Nigerian diet [7]. Attention has been given to some tropical fruits that are of economic importance [8] among which Carica papaya is one. Carica papaya fruit is one of the most nutritional fruits grown and consumed in Africa. Studies had demonstrated the use of seed extract of Carica papaya as a tonic for the heart, analgesic and treatment for stomach ache [9] and have antioxidant properties [10]. It has offered some protection against oxidative damage to body tissues [11]. The antioxidant systems present in Carica papaya play a protective role against the production of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation by-products. Recent reports have implicated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of many human diseases [12]. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are free radicals generated as byproducts of normal aerobic metabolism and also from reactions with drugs and toxins [13]. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species however, results in alteration in the balance between ROS and endogenous antioxidants and creates oxidative stress which is implicated in many pathological conditions such as diabetes [14], cardio vascular disease [13], cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and ageing [15], atherosclerosis [16,17]. Some of these medicinal plants used in ethno medicine for the treatment and management of many of these diseases have been investigated for their antioxidative properties [18]. Many of the metabolites from these medicinal plants especially flavonoids exhibited potent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo [19,20,21]. In view the above background, the present study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of Carica papaya on serum lipids in albino rats fed with high fat diet (HFD) and to compare it with a standard hypolipidaemic drug simvastatin. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Plants Authentication and Extract Preparation: Matured fresh C. papaya fruit was bought from a local market in Abraka, and was authenticated at the Botany Department, Delta State University, Abraka. The fruit was cut and the seeds were collected, air dried and later