Effects of Allanblackia floribunda stem-bark Extracts on Oxidative stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rats Exposed to Crude Oil

Abstract

The development of degenerative diseases has been linked to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the changes caused by crude oil exposure contribute to the onset of degenerative diseases. There is little or no information on the anti-degeneration properties of Allanblackia floribunda. This study was carried out to investigate brain mitochondrial tissues exposed to crude oil and the effects of A. floribunda as a preventive and therapeutic intervention against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into five groups: the control group received distilled water, the second group received ethanol extracts of A. floribunda, the third group received crude oil (5 mL/kg), the fourth and fifth groups received crude oil and A. floribunda extract concurrently (200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively). The results showed that crude oil treatment caused a significant increase in brain mitochondrial MDA levels and induced significant alterations in brain mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activities compared with control. Treatment with the extract alone revealed a significant increase in protein carbonyl, conjugated dienes, and ATPases compared with crude oil-treated rats. This indicates that A. floribunda inhibited crude oil-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and improved ATPase and antioxidant status in the rat brain mitochondria, which further suggests that A. floribunda possesses potential and may efficiently inhibit crude oil-induced oxidative damage and improve mitochondrial functions.