Biochemical Investigation of Wistar Albino Rats Orally Exposed to Bonny Light Crude Oil and Andrographis paniculata Leaf Extract

S.C. Onuoha, C.C. Chukwuma and M.O. Monanu

Background and Objective: Crude oil has been employed in folkloric medicine for the treatment of various forms of diseases and is often, used in combination with medicinal plants. Andrographis paniculata, on the other hand, has previously been reported to possess some medicinal properties. The current study investigated the biochemical indices of Wistar albino rats orally exposed to different concentrations of Bonny Light Crude Oil and Andrographis paniculata leaf extract. Materials and Methods: In this study, Wistar albino rats were orally exposed to different concentrations of Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) and Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, individually and in combination. Results: Following a 21 day exposure period, results revealed that Andrographis paniculata leaf extract and BLCO-induction at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg kg^–1 b.wt., could induce physiological damage within 21 days as revealed in the results of the histological analysis obtained for the liver and kidney tissues as well as the detectable heavy metal concentrations in the blood samples. Conclusion: The present study revealed that Andrographis paniculata leaf extract and BLCO-induction at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg kg^–1 b.wt., for 21 consecutive days may be injurious to health affecting the liver and kidney. This is evident from the result of the histological analysis carried out on the tissue extracts of the experimental rats. It is, therefore, recommended that the use of Andrographis paniculata and BLCO in folkloric medicine at concentrations similar to the ones employed in this study should be discontinued.

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