Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

Crude oil, an essential fuel for economies worldwide, including Nigeria's, carries with it understated yet profound health risks during its extraction and use. These risks, particularly in oil-rich areas, are frequently disregarded despite their considerable impact on the health of local populations. This research examines the impact of administering water-based extracts from the stem bark of Mangifera indica contaminated with crude oil on the behavior, physiological functions, and organ weights of Wistar albino rats. A total of 80 female Wistar rats, each weighing approximately 155 grams, were allocated into five groups and treated over a 90-day period. Group I acted as the control, whereas Groups II and III were given 250 mg/kg and 3500 mg/kg body weight of the contaminated extract, respectively. Groups IV and V were administered similar doses of uncontaminated extract. The contaminated samples were sourced from an oil spill area in Rivers State, while the uncontaminated ones were from Benin City, Edo State. The rats receiving these extracts showed significant effects such as weight reduction, inflammation, reduced appetite, piloerection, increased irritability, and higher death rates, with the most extreme reactions in Group III. There were also significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the weights of the liver, kidney, and heart among the rats treated with the higher doses of both types of extracts. The results point to a toxicity that increases with both the dose and the duration of exposure, underscoring the importance of exercising caution with long-term use of herbal treatments especially when sourced from polluted areas.