Alterations associated with Karelia cigarette exposure and the protective role of Libyan Sidr honey in male albino rats.

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoke (CS) contains multiple toxic substances, including nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and reactive oxygen species, which can induce oxidative stress and physiological disturbances. Chronic exposure may result in stress-related behavioral and hormonal changes.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate stress-related behavioral manifestations, body weight changes, and serum cortisol levels in male albino rats exposed to Karelia Red cigarettes (KRC) and to explore the modulatory potential of Libyan Sidr honey (LSH).

METHODS

Twenty-eight adult male albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7 each): Control (no treatment), Honey (LSH, 100 mg/kg/day, oral), Smoke (KRC exposure: 5 cigarettes/session, 5 sessions/day, 6 days/week for 4 weeks), and Protective (LSH + KRC). Behavioral observations were conducted using continuous video recordings, body weight was measured, and serum cortisol was assessed using ELISA. To minimize potential variability associated with hormonal cycles, only male rats were used.

RESULTS

Rats exposed to KRC exhibited stress-related behavioral manifestations, reduced locomotor activity, decreased body weight gain, and elevated serum cortisol levels compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Rats in the protective group showed partial attenuation of behavioral disturbances and lower cortisol levels than those in the smoke-exposed group, while only a slight improvement in body weight gain was observed. These findings suggest a modulatory effect of LSH against CS-induced alterations.

CONCLUSION

LSH mitigated some stress-related behavioral and physiological effects of KRC exposure. These findings support the potential of LSH as a natural agent for modulating smoke-induced stress responses and provide preliminary experimental insights with potential translational relevance. Behavioral observations were descriptive and exploratory and should not be interpreted as quantitative measures. Future studies should incorporate standardized behavioral scoring using a structured ethogram for rigorous assessment.