Protective Role of Elaesis guineensis Leaves against Crude Oil Tainted Diet–induced Hematotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Background: Crude oil is a very toxic chemical. Recently, the search for protective substances is attracting attention. This study aimed to investigate the hematoprotective potentials of oil palm leaves against the toxicity induced by crude oil. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats (n=36) were divided into six groups of rats (n=6). Group 1 (controls) were fed with normal rat food.  Groups 2 and 3 were fed with diets combined with a predetermined quantity of Elaesis guineensis (E. guineensis) leaves. Group 4 were given crude oil contaminated diet. Groups 5 and 6 were fed with tainted diet, mixed with a predetermined quantity of powdered E. guineensis leaves. Results:   Pre-treatment of the diet with oil palm leaves restored lipid peroxidation, the activities of various types of superoxide dismutases (SODs), and catalase compared to those obtained for the control group. Treatment of crude oil-tainted diet with oil palm leaves significantly increased hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell indices, and significantly decreased white blood cell count compared to those noted for the rats fed crude oil-tainted diet. Conclusions: This study found that the treatment of crude oil contaminated diet with oil palm leaves reduced the hemotoxicity as experimented in Wistar albino rats.