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 oilinduced 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.