Free radicals are present in human serum of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) abusers

Al-Akwa, Ahmed A.; Shaher, Monira; Al-Akwa, Sameeha; Aleryani, Samir

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.012

Cited by 31 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Organophosphate exposure has been found to be another risk factor for cardiac complications among khat users. [43][44][45] The presence of pesticides in khat was implicated in the inhibition of serum acetylcholinesterase activity 44 and may contribute to the presence of high levels of free radicals. Another study showed that the production of oxidants, which are responsible for reduction in antioxidant defense system, may be due to khat use.…”

Section: Khat and Co-risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

et al. 2015

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Recent reports suggest that 20 million people worldwide are regularly using khat as a stimulant, even though the habit of chewing khat is known to cause serious health issues. Historical evidence suggests khat use has existed since the 13th century in Ethiopia and the southwestern Arabian regions even before the cultivation and use of coffee. In the past three decades, its availability and use spread all over the world including the United States and Europe. Most of the consumers in the Western world are immigrant groups from Eastern Africa or the Middle East. The global transport and availability of khat has been enhanced by the development of synthetic forms of its active component. The World Health Organization considers khat a drug of abuse since it causes a range of health problems. However, it remains lawful in some countries. Khat use has long been a part of Yemeni culture and is used in virtually every social occasion. The main component of khat is cathinone, which is structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine and cocaine. Several studies have demonstrated that khat chewing has unfavorable cardiovascular effects. The effect on the myocardium could be explained by its effect on the heart rate, blood pressure, its vasomotor effect on the coronary vessels, and its amphetamine-like effects. However, its direct effect on the myocardium needs further elaboration. To date, there are few articles that contribute death among khat chewers to khat-induced heart failure. Further studies are needed to address the risk factors in khat chewers that may explain khat-induced cardiotoxicity, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure.

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Section: Khat and Co-risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

et al. 2015

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“…35 Other studies have also found Qat to be associated with free radical production. 36 Qat was also shown to induce cell death through mechanisms involving activation of a family of cysteine proteases named caspases (caspase-1, -3 and -8). 37,38 Therefore, the cytotoxic effects associated with Qat raise concerns about Qat chewing and the possible development of potentially malignant and malignant lesions in the oral cavity.…”

Section: Qat Use and Effects On Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qat Chewing and Risk of Potentially Malignant and Malignant Oral Disorders: A Systematic Review

El‐Zaemey

Schüz

Léon

2015

Int J Occup Environ Med

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“…The short term chewing effects have been well discussed [2,8,9] however, not so much information is available regarding the long-term health impact of chewing khat. Few reports from Yemen and elsewhere have indicated that chronic khat consumption may be a leading cause of cancer, cellular toxicity and other metabolic disorders [10][11][12][13]. An extensive review by Al-Motarreb et al [8] and Odenwald [9] about khat chewing and cellular toxicity revealed that some of the literature reports contradicted each other and that the rest were inconclusive as a result of limited data quality and depth.…”

Section: (-)-Cathinone [(S)-α-aminopropiophenone] (+)-Cathine [(1s) mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the effect of various drying techniques on the composition of the psychoactive phenylpropylamino alkaloids of khat (<i>Catha edulis</i> Forsk) chewing leaves

Atlabachew¹,

Chandravanshi²,

Redi‐Abshiro³

et al. 2013

Bull. Chem. Soc. Eth.

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ABSTRACT. The study demonstrated that by freezing or drying under different conditions, cathinone could be detected in the khat (Catha edulis Forsk) samples that have been harvested for more than four months. Freeze drying or freezing in the refrigerator (−20 o C) yielded more than 73% of cathinone. Air drying, sun drying or oven drying at 60 o C resulted in a cathinone composition of 57%, 42% and 36%, respectively. The study confirmed that, freshly harvested tender leaves of khat contained exclusively of cathinone but upon sun drying, part of it decomposes to cathine and norephedrine leaving cathinone as a major component. Thus it is wrong to assume that sun drying the leaves can result complete conversion of cathinone to cathine and norephedrine. Furthermore, the results of the study confirmed that it was possible to preserve khat samples for longer periods after freeze drying or deep freezing without significant loss of cathinone.

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Free radicals are present in human serum of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) abusers

Cited by 31 publications

References 20 publications

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

Qat Chewing and Risk of Potentially Malignant and Malignant Oral Disorders: A Systematic Review

Evaluation of the effect of various drying techniques on the composition of the psychoactive phenylpropylamino alkaloids of khat (<i>Catha edulis</i> Forsk) chewing leaves

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