Abstract
This study evaluated the behavioural responses of male Wistar rats to normal air or cigarette smoke (CS) and compared the effects of curcumin and hesperidin on growth performance. In experiment 1, male rats were randomised into two groups (n = 10): control and CS-exposed groups. During exposure (four weeks), the dietary and behavioural patterns were monitored. In experiment 2, forty-eight rats were distributed across eight groups (n = 6): normal control, CS control, CS + curcumin (10 mg.kg−1), CS + curcumin (20 mg.kg−1), CS + hesperidin (10 mg.kg−1), CS + hesperidin (20 mg.kg−1), curcumin (20 mg.kg−1), and hesperidin (20 mg.kg−1) for 6 weeks. Growth performance (feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio FCR) were assessed. In the first experiment, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the body weight of the CS-exposed group compared to the normal control, whereas feed intake was significantly (P > 0.05) lower in the CS-group. The time to access feed and water was higher in the CS-group, while other behavioural responses (locomotion, stand upright, climbing, stand and stare, sniffing, sitting, and digging) were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared with normal control, especially after two weeks. In the second experiment, weight gain, feed in-take, and FCR were significantly lower in the CS-exposed group compared to the control group, whereas treatment with curcumin and hesperidin, especially at the higher dose (20 mg.kg−1 b. wt.), significantly improved the growth performance of the CS-exposed groups. This study submits that CS exposure negatively impacts on the growth performance and behavioural patterns and demonstrates the potentials of curcumin and hesperidin in addressing these CS-provoked changes.