ABSTRACT Mercury chloride, a potent toxicant containing the heavy metal mercury, has been widely acknowledged as a menacing environmental contaminant. Its pervasive presence in air, water, soil, and food sources raises grave concerns about its deleterious consequences for both human populations and ecological equilibrium. Mercury's propensity to accumulate in vital organs, with the liver being a primary target due to its central role in detoxification and metabolism, underscores the urgency to identify strategies that can safeguard liver health in the face of mercury exposure. Mango, celebrated not only for its delectable taste but also for its diverse array of bioactive compounds, presents a promising natural candidate for hepatoprotection. Laden with polyphenols, vitamins, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, mango has been associated with a myriad of health benefits. These bioactive constituents, including mangiferin, quercetin, gallic acid, and beta-carotene, have demonstrated remarkable potential in neutralizing free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, modulating inflammatory pathways, and fortifying cellular defense systems. This study was aimed at This study is aimed at investigating the effect of protective effects of Mangifera indica leaves on mercury chloride-induced liver damage in adult Wistar rats. In this study, thirty (30) Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of five (5) rats each. Group A served as control. Group B was given 250 mg/kg BW. Mangifera indica only. Group C was given 500 mg/kg BW. Mangifera indica only. Group D was given 250 mg/kg BW. Mangifera indica and 5 mg/Kg BW. Mercury chloride. Group E was given 500 mg/kg BW. Mangifera indica and 5 mg/Kg BW. Mercury chloride. Group F was given 5 mg/Kg BW. Mercury chloride. The administration was done orally for thirty (30) days. At the end of the administration, the animals were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia and the liver was harvested. Liver enzymes (Alkaline Phosphatase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Transaminase, and Total protein) were evaluated. Also, routine hematoxylin and eosin staining techniques were utilized to evaluate the histological changes in the liver of experimental rats. Results from this study showed that Mercury caused an increase in Alkaline Phosphatase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, and Alanine Transaminase; indicative of liver damage. Also, histological results showed that mercury chloride caused hepatitis which was evident in periportal infiltrates of inflammatory cells and portal congestion. However, the pre-treatment of Mangifera indica before mercury chloride administration showed potential protective properties against mercury chloride-induced toxicity. This was evident in the decrease of Alkaline Phosphatase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, and Alanine Transaminase activities while histological results showed normal histological architecture when compared to the group treated with mercury chloride only. Conclusively, Mangifera indica possesses Hepatotoxicity. protective properties against mercury chloride-induced
