Comparative studies of hepatotoxic potentials of Oxythenantera abyssinca (Rhizomes) sourced from crude oil polluted areas and non crude oil polluted areas in South Eastern Nigeria using male albino rats as model

Abstract

Pollution has been one of the major problems faced by organisms and crude oil being one of the major pollutants especially to countries it serves as major component of their economy, living organisms could be directly or indirectly affected negatively by crude oil pollution. A comparative study of the effect of non-crude oil polluted Oxythenantera abyssinca rhizomes extract (NCOPOAE) and crude oil polluted Oxythenantera abyssinca rhizomes extract (COPOAE) in some biochemical parameters using albino rats. Serum liver enzyme activities and histopathology of the albino rats’ liver was assayed after a four- week treatment using standard methods. Findings showed that, mice fed with NCOPOAE had no death at 5000 mg/kg .bw making it safe while the once fed with COPOAE had a lethal toxicity dose calculated to be 3807.8 mg/kg. bw. At different doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg .bw., the extracts caused significant (p<0.05) and non-significant (p>0.05) changes on the liver enzyme activity which reflected in histopathological result compared to the control fed with feed and normal saline, indicating liver impairment with COPOAE having more of the negative effect compared to NCOPOAE and the control.