Impact of crude oil-contaminated plant extracts on renal and hepatic function in rats: A biochemical perspective

Abstract

Crude oil, derived from ancient marine life through heat and pressure, has shaped Nigeria's oil industry since its 1956 discovery in Bayelsa State. This has positioned Nigeria as a major oil producer but introduced environmental issues, including frequent spills due to negligence or sabotage, with minimal cleanup in areas like Ogoniland. The use of oil-contaminated plants for traditional medicine, spurred by inadequate healthcare, led to this study. We examined how Mangifera indica stem bark extracts from both polluted and clean sites affect enzyme activity in female Wistar albino rats. Eighty rats, each around 155 grams, were involved. The contaminated extract was from an oil spill in Umuechem, Ikwere, Rivers State, while the clean extract was from the University of Benin. Rats were divided into five groups: Group I was the control; Groups II and III received 250 mg/kg and 3500 mg/kg of contaminated extract, respectively; Groups IV and V got the same dosages of clean extract. The study duration was 90 days.. This study revealed that renal function parameters in rats exposed to various doses of aqueous extracts C and F showed significant alterations (p