Khat (<b><i>Catha edulis</i></b>) and Obesity: A Scoping Review of Animal and Human Studies

Abstract

Background: Khat (Catha edulis) is a plant that is deeply rooted in the cultural life of East African and Southwestern Arabian populations. Prevalent traditional beliefs about khat are that the plant has an effect on appetite and body weight. Summary: This review assesses the accumulated evidences on the mutual influence of monoamines, hormones and neuropeptides that are linked to obesity. A few anti-obesity drugs that exert their mechanisms of action through monoamines are briefly discussed to support the notion of monoamines being a critical target of drug discovery for new anti-obesity drugs. Subsequently, the review provides a comprehensive overview of central dopamine and serotonin changes that are associated with the use of khat or its alkaloids. Then, all the studies on khat that describe physical, biochemical and hormonal changes are summarised and discussed in depth. Conclusion: The reviewed studies provide relatively acceptable evidence that different khat extracts or cathinone produces changes in terms of weight, fat mass, appetite, lipid biochemistry and hormonal levels. These changes are more pronounced at higher doses and long durations of intervention. The most suggested mechanism of these changes is the central action that produces changes in the physiology of dopamine and serotonin. Nonetheless, there are a number of variations in the study design, including species, doses and durations of intervention, which makes it difficult to arrive at a final conclusion about khat regarding obesity, and further studies are necessary in the future to overcome these limitations.

Development of the Khat Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception Scale

“…It has been suggested that this use pattern inhibits work productivity and leads to financial problems . Items grouped in weight control were consistent with appetite suppressant effects of cathinone, one of the main ingredients of khat . Finally, family issues included items that describe unfavourable views toward khat use among women.…”

Association between qat chewing and dyslipidaemia among young males

“…On the contrary, this result was inconsistent with the results of the other regional and international studies reporting that obesity is one of the most risk factors of dyslipidaemia 19 , 20 . Qat results in anorexia after qat consumption due to the inhibitory effects of cathinone and cathine on the appetite centre in the hypothalamus 21 . However, obesity was also not observed in non-qat chewers, suggesting that obesity was not noted among Yemeni qat and non-qat chewers.…”

The prevalence and associated factors of underweight and overweight/obesity among adults in Kenya: evidence from a national cross-sectional community survey

“…Dietary risk behaviours impacting on obesity include the “consumption of energy-dense foods high in sugars and fat” [ 17 , 18 ] and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake [ 19 ]. Engaging in physical activity [ 20 , 21 ], khat [ 22 ] and tobacco use [ 8 , 17 , 18 ] have been found to decrease the likelihood of having overweight and obesity. Obesity is linked with several chronic NCDs such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes [ 3 , 23 , 24 ].…”