Biochemical Studies on the Amelioration of Petroleum Product Intoxication with Indigenous Plants

Abstract

The effect of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum supplemented diet on diesel petroleum induced liver damage in rats was investigated. Rats were acclimatized for two weeks and divided into three groups. Oxidative stress was induced with diesel petroleum (4 ml/kg body weight) at alternate days for seven days in group II and III rats. Group II rats were fed the supplemented diet while Group I and III fed on normal rat pellet only. After one week of feeding, the fluctuations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) indicated stress in the liver of the rats exposed to diesel. Significant increase (P<0.05) in serum concentration of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and other liver damage markers was observed in group III rats. Serum lipid profile was also studied. Feeding with the supplemented diet showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in the activities of ALT and AST and in the concentration of MDA. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes indicated nonsignificant increase (P>0.05) with treatment. The concentration of other liver marker compounds and lipid profile were positively affected by the treatment. The values obtainedfrom treated rats showed that, while diesel can induce oxidative damage to the liver, G. latifolium and O. gratissimum in the diet, indicated protective effect against oxidative and cellular degeneration in liver tissues. Keywords: Liver enzymes; oxidative enzymes; pollution; phytochemicals; petroleum.