Toxic Effect of Khat in Rat Embryos and Fetuses

Abstract

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a plant consumed by many people in Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, and Southern Arabia to be stimulated. There are several human and animal studies on khat that provide information about its toxic effects. However, the potential toxic effects of khat on embryos and fetuses have not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the embryotoxic and fetotoxic effects of khat exposure during the earliest period of gestation in rats. Pregnant Wistar albino rats were treated with khat extract at 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg doses from day 6 through day 12 of gestation. The treatment was delivered by gavage. Embryos and fetuses were recovered on gestational day 12 or day 20, respectively, and were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed for developmental anomalies. Placentae from the treatment and control groups were investigated for histopathological effects. Results of the present study showed that khat exposure during pregnancy had dose-dependent toxic effects in rat embryos and fetuses. Prenatal growth retardation such as reduced fetal weight and crown-rump length was observed in near-term fetuses, especially, in animals treated with the highest dose of khat ( p < 0.05 ). Growth retardation and developmental anomalies were also observed in day 12 embryos of khat-treated rats. Maternal weight gain of the khat-treated group was also significantly lower than the control group. Cytolysis, decidual hypoplasia, and atrophy were observed in the placenta of the khat-treated rats. Findings of the present study revealed, for the first time, that exposure of pregnant rat to crude extract of khat causes embryotoxic and fetotoxic effects.

Teratogenic Evaluation of 80% Ethanol Extract of Embelia schimperi Vatke Fruits on Rat Embryo and Fetuses

“…This might indicate a higher safety level of the plant extract to influence the aforementioned fetal outcome indices. However, further experiments shall be conducted to rule out possible compensational changes during late gestational periods [ 13 , 19 ].…”

“…Gross external morphology, visceral morphology, and skeletal evaluations are the key fetal developmental endpoints that were investigated to determine the effect of E. schimperi [ 16 , 19 ]. The present study revealed that there were no significant dose-related differences in gross and visceral fetal morphological indices among E. schimperi treatment groups and the control groups.…”

“…The yolk sac was then removed to evaluate embryonic developmental indices like the embryonic nervous system, sensory organs, and musculoskeletal systems. These variables were examined according to the Brown and Fabro morphological scoring system [ 18 ] (Supplemental file) which was adopted for in vivo teratogenicity studies by Belete et al [ 19 ] and Abebe et al [ 16 ].…”

“…One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the post Hoc (Turkey) test and Chi-square test at P < 0.05 level of significance was employed to look over significant statistical differences among experimental groups. Results of placental histopathology were presented qualitatively based on predefined parameters [ 19 , 26 ].…”

“…ese variables were examined according to the Brown and Fabro morphological scoring system [18] (Supplemental file) which was adopted for in vivo teratogenicity studies by Belete et al [19] and Abebe et al [16].…”