Chemical Characterization and Antihyperlipidemic Potential of <i>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> Engl. Fruit Pulp Oil in <i>Wistar</i> Rats

The consumption of oleaginous fruits, with proven composition of unsaturated fatty acids and biological properties, can prevent dyslipidemia. To assess the antihyperlipidemic potential of <i>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> Engl. pulp oil. <i>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> pulp oil was obtained by hexane maceration, and characterized by the determination of fatty acid profile, chemical quality and in vitro antioxidant activity. The antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic capacities of the oil on 36 rats were evaluated. A hypercaloric diet over 42 days facilitated the induction of dyslipidemia. Simultaneously, 1 and 2 mL/kg body weight of oil were administered by gavage. After sacrifice, serum was collected, then lipid profile and antioxidant parameters were assessed. The oil from the pulp of <i>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> contains mainly palmitic (39.68%), oleic (28.13%) and linoleic acids (28.19%). Iodine, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid, anisidine and total oxidation values were, 54.06 ± 0.70 g I2/100 g, 4.02 ± 0.21 meq O2/kg, 0.44 ± 0.02 meq MDA/kg, 1.33 ± 0.00 and 9.37 ± 0.43 respectively. The value of EC50 was 11.81 μg/mL. Compared with the diseased group, 2 mL/kg dose of oil significantly reduced (<i>p</i> < 0.05) TAG (93.83 ± 1.69; 75.44 ± 4.57), total cholesterol (72.89 ± 3.59; 62.69 ± 6.24), LDL (15.52 ± 5.72; 20.27 ± 4.92), VLDL (18.76 ± 0.91; 15.08 ± 1.08), total lipids (268.24 ± 7.70; 226.13 ± 18.95) in males and females, respectively (mg/dL). This dose also reduced the atherosclerosis index (1.88 ± 0.17; 2.29 ± 0.27). A significant increase (<i>p</i> < 0.05) of HDL levels (38.61 ± 1.63 mg/dL; 27.33 ± 3.28 mg/dL), enzymatic activity of SOD (85.00% ± 17.32%; 91.66% ± 2.88%) and catalase (10.67 ± 0.36 μM/min/mL; 10.85 ± 0.47 μM/min/mL) were observed for both sexes. <i>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> oil is of good quality with high antiradical activity, which improves antioxidant defense and antihyperlipidemic activity in rats.