Biochemical Modulation of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes by Almond (Terminalia catappa) Leaf Litter Extract in Rats Exposed to Crude Oil-Induced Toxicity

This study investigated the impact of crude oil exposure on the activities of aldehyde oxidase (AO), sulfite oxidase (SO), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and xanthine oxidase (XO) in rats, and assessed the modulatory effects of methanol extract from Terminalia catappa leaf litter (ALE) on these enzymes across vital organs. Sixty-four male Wistar albino rats (200.0 ± 1.5 g) were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 8), receiving either a normal or crude oil-contaminated diet (4.0 mL/100 g feed), with or without ALE supplementation (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg body weight). After a 14-day acclimatization, rats were treated for 90 days. ALE increased oxidase activities in healthy rats, indicating enhanced detoxification. Crude oil exposure markedly reduced AO, SO, MAO, and XO activities, suggesting oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Since these enzymes are in mitochondria or linked to mitochondrial redox metabolism, their reduced activities serve as indicative biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction. ALE co-treatment partially restored enzyme activities, though not fully, indicating modest protective effects. The results highlight the potential of T. catappa leaf extract in mitigating crude oil-induced oxidative damage.