This paper reports on an investigation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of khat extract using a human T lymphoblastoid cell line (CEM). Exponentially growing CEM cells were cultured for 12 h in the presence of khat extract (0-2000 ug ml -1 ). Statistically significant, dose-dependent increases in; CEM cell death at dose (> 400 ug ml -1 ), in DNA damage at dose (>200 ug ml -1 ) and in micronuclei frequency, at dose (>200 ug ml -1 ) were observed. The genetic damage effects of khat extract on human cell line observed in this study could serve as a major contribution towards the understanding and creating of awareness of an increased risk of cancer amongst long-term khat consumers.
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