Effects of Catha Edulis on Anxiety-like Behavior and Prefrontal Cortex-Malondialdehyde Level in Mice

Abstract

Background Catha edulis, commonly called khat, is a psychostimulant plant chewed by East African people. Chewing khat has adverse effects. Anxiety is becoming one of the most common psychiatric disorders. Some psychostimulants worsen while others improve the disorder. However, the effects of khat on anxiety and brain lipid peroxidation have not been investigated. The aim of this study is, therefore, to investigate the anxiety-like and prefrontal cortex (PFC) lipid peroxidation effects of khat in animal model. Methods A total of 40 white albino mice aged between 7 and 8 weeks were used. They were administered with khat extract (Ke) 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg b.w, and 2% tween 80 in distilled water (T80W-v/v) for thirteen weeks. The anxiety-like behaviors and PFC malondialdehyde (MDA) level were measured using elevated plus maze and spectrophotometry, respectively. One-way ANOVA, person’s correlation, and independent t-tests were used. P-value \(<\)0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Ke 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05), Ke 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01), and Ke 300 mg/kg (p < 0.01) reduced open arm entry. Ke 100 mg/kg (p < 0.01), Ke 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01), and 300 mg/kg (p < 0. 01) also reduced open arm duration. Ke 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01) and Ke 300 mg/kg (p < 0.001) increased right PFC MDA level. Conclusions Ke showed anxiety-like behaviors and increased PFC MDA level. Further studies are needed on the PFC neurochemicals effects of this extract.