Khat Chewing and Lipid Profile in Human and Experimental Animals

Background. Catha edulis, also known as khat or qat, is a plant that grows in East Africa and southern Arabia. Several millions of people chew the leaves and twigs of khat plant for their central stimulating amphetamine-like effects. Khat chewing is becoming more common in Europe and the United States, owing to worldwide migration. Objective. This review examines the khat ingredients, global prevalence, and legal status as well as its effects on lipid profile. Methodology. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to collect information within articles published up to April 2021 with the goal of identifying relevant studies. The proposed mechanisms of cathinone effects on total cholesterol and triglyceride were also discussed. Conclusion. The khat chewing habit is considered as a serious economic and health issue that needs specialized programs to assist those people to quit or reducing this habit.

Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Khat (Catha edulis forsk) on Prefrontal Cortex Oxidative Markers and Hematological Profile of Wistar Rats

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Catha edulis on the prefrontal cortex oxidative markers and hematological profile of Wistar rats. Study Design: The study design was experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Kampala International University, Uganda and Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda. Between January and May, 2021. Methodology: Fresh C. edulis leaves were collected after on-spot identification, and authenticated before being chopped into small pieces and pulverized mechanically. The powdered material was extracted through cold maceration using 70% ethanol for 72 h. The extract was concentrated in vacuo to dryness at 40oC using rotary evaporator. The lethal dose (LD50) of the crude extract was determined using acute toxicity test. The sub-acute toxicity of the crude extract was evaluated by orally administering daily doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg to the male Wistar rats for 28 days. The animals were monitored for mortality, behavioral and physiological signs of toxicity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) activities and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated using standard methods. The blood samples were analyzed using the automated hematology analyzer: Mindray BC-6000. Shenzhen, China. Results: The median lethal dose (LD50) of the C. edulis leaf extract was greater than 5000mg/kg b w. The SOD and CAT activities of C. edulis treated groups compared to the control group were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced, the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in C. edulis treated groups compared to the control group. There was no significant change in the hematological parameters, however, there were slight variations in the WBC and RBC counts in some C. edulis treated groups. Conclusion: Long term chewing of C. edulis could result in oxidative stress. It is therefore important for chronic C. edulis leaf chewers to take caution.

От плантаций на востоке Эфиопии до международных рынков: кат под контролем

Статья основана на полевых исследованиях автора, проводившихся в городах Дыре-Дауа, Аводай и Харар на востоке Эфиопии с ноября 2012 по июнь 2013 г., в феврале 2014 и апреле 2015 гг. Она посвящена тому, каким образом длинные маршруты распространения по миру растения кат (catha edulis) и препятствия на этих путях влияют на сектор его производства и сбыта. В центре нашего анализа – вопрос о социальных трансформациях, порождаемых глобализацией, в ходе которой этот вечнозеленый кустарник оказался связующим звеном между локальным и глобальным уровнями, между плантациями и прилавками. Кроме того, нам важно понять, какое влияние его выращивание и оборот оказывают на осуществление государственной власти на восточных окраинах страны. This article is based on the author’s fieldwork in Dire Dawa, Awaday, and Harar in eastern Ethiopia from November 2012 through June 2013, in February 2014, and April 2015. It focuses on the effects of the extensive global distribution network of the khat (catha edulis) plant and the obstacles encountered along these routes on the sector in which khat is produced and sold. At the center of our analysis is the question of social transformations, generated by globalization, over the course of which this evergreen shrub came to be a link between local and global levels, between plantations and retailers. We must also understand what impact its cultivation and circulation have on the exercise of state power in the eastern margins of the country.

Progress and Research Trends on Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl. (Catha edulis): A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Catha edulis (Vahl) Endl., known as Catha edulis or Khat is a traditional and regional plant for chewing, smoking and drinking, that has posed a worldwide public health problem due to its recent emerging abused consumption. In the face of the massive use of Catha edulis, we reviewed related publications to analyze the progress and research trends through bibliometric methods. After screening, a total of 514 scientific publications published from 1997 to 2020 were included by systematic retrieval from the Web of Science (WoS) database. According to further scientometric analysis, the annual number of publications output kept rising in most of the years. Ethiopia and the United States of America (USA) have been devoting significant contributions to the field. Though the research emphasis had been the chemical composition and pharmacological and toxicological effects for several years, the hot spots were transferred; the mechanism investigations of Catha edulis have been the focus in recent years, which might be continued in the future. Furthermore, co-operations of multi-disciplinary researchers are needed to minimize abuse harms and maximize the medicinal benefits of Catha edulis to human beings.

Title-Effects of Catha Edulis Forsk on Spatial Cognition and correlation with serum electrolytes in Wild- type Male White Albino Rats

Background : The burdens of psychostimulant use disorders are becoming a worldwide problem. One of the psychostimulants widely consumed in Ethiopia and East African countries is Catha edulis Forsk (khat). However, no studies have been conducted on the cognitive effects of khat and its correlation with serum electrolytes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of khat on cognitive functions and its correlation with serum electrolytes. Materials and Methods — A total of 36 adult (7-8 weeks) wild-type male Swiss albino rats weighing between 213 and 229g were used in this study. The rats were received crude khat extract subchronically (kesc) (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg b.w), khat juice (khJ 2.5 mL/kg) and 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W- v/v, vehicle) and khat extract subacutely (kesa) (300 mg/kg). Spatial learning and memory were measured using Morris water maze model and serum electrolytes were measured using Cobas 6000. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel. Results : Spatial learning was improved with trials across the groups, while average escape latency (s) and swim path-length (cm) of rats that received kesc 200 mg/kg (p<0.001 and p<0.001) and kesc 300 mg/kg (p<0.01 and p<0.001) was significantly greater than rats that received the vehicle. However, there was no significant difference in the latency between rats that received kesa 300mg/kg and vehicle (p>0.05). Thigmotaxis was significantly higher in rats that received all doses of khat extract (p<0.001). The time spent in the target quadrant in rats that received kesc 300 mg/kg was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Serum calcium level was inversely correlated with the escape latency (R=-0.417, p<0.05) in rats that received khat. Conclusions : khat extract and juice administered subchronically, but not subacute administration, impaired learning and memory in rats and was associated with serum calcium reduction. The neuronal basis for such alteration should be investigated.