Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

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<0.05). Concentrations of creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and chloride either significantly increased or decreased (P<0.05) in the serum of rats from groups II, III, and V when compared to the control group. Notably, animals in group III rats, which received 3500mg/kg body weight of extract C, exhibited markedly higher concentrations (p<0.05), indicating substantial organ damage. Conversely, group IV rats displayed a significant increase (P<0.05) in creatinine, urea, potassium, and sodium, but only a non-significant decrease (P>0.05) in chloride and bicarbonate levels compared to the controls, suggesting a dose-dependent response. Similarly, liver function markers like ALT, ALP, AST, total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein were significantly altered in rats treated with 250 and 3500mg/kg body weight of extracts C and F. The serum concentrations of these markers significantly increased or decreased (P<0.05) in groups II, III, and V when compared to the control. Animals in group III, receiving the highest dose of extract C, had the most pronounced changes in ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, and AST levels. Meanwhile, rats in group IV showed a non-significant increase (P>0.05) in ALT and ALP, a significant increase in total protein (P<0.05), and a significant decrease in albumin (P<0.05) compared to the control group, highlighting that the impact on rat physiology is influenced by the dose, the nature of the extract, and exposure duration. These findings suggest that crude aqueous extracts Mangifera indica stem barks, especially when contaminated with crude oil, can cause significant kidney and liver toxicity in rats. The extent of damage increases with higher doses, highlighting the need for careful consideration when using plant extracts from polluted areas.