A review of the neuropharmacological properties of khat

Feyissa, Anteneh M.; Kelly, James P.

doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.12.033

Cited by 160 publications

(164 citation statements)

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“…Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a flowering large green shrub that grows from eastern to southern Africa, as well as on the Arabian Peninsula [1][2][3][4][5]. The main psychostimulant components of khat are the phenylpropylamino alkaloids: [2,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main psychostimulant components of khat are the phenylpropylamino alkaloids: [2,6]. Although there are more than 200 identified compounds in khat leaves, the phenylpropylamino alkaloids are primarily considered to be the addictive and reinforcing agents responsible for the continued chewing behavior [2,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

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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“…Cathinone is a pharmacologically active alkaloid that can be extracted from the leaves of the khat plant (Catha edulis, also known as quat or chat) [1,2]. The plant is an evergreen shrub that is found predominately in Africa and the Middle East, the leaves of which are chewed by people from those areas for their stimulant properties [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recreational Use of Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC) with Associated Sympathomimetic Toxicity

et al. 2010

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Introduction Cathinone is a pharmacologically active alkaloid that can be extracted from the leaves of the khat plant (Catha edulis). There are synthetic derivatives of cathinone entering the recreational drug market, including mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC). There are discrepancies in the legal status of both the khat plant and its extracted alkaloids between the UK and the USA. Case Report A 22-year-old man purchased 4 g of mephedrone powder over the Internet from a chemical supplier based in China. He initially ingested 200 mg of the mephedrone orally, with no perceived clinical effects, and thereafter injected the remaining 3.8 g intramuscularly into his thighs. Shortly after the injection, he developed palpitations, "blurred tunnel vision," chest pressure, and sweating and felt generally unwell; he presented to hospital with continuing features of sympathomimetic toxicity. His symptoms settled over the next 4 h after a single dose of oral lorazepam. Qualitative analysis of the urine and serum sample was undertaken using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric (GC/MS) detection, both positive for the presence of 4-methylmethcathinone. Quantitative analysis of the serum sample was undertaken by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection; the estimated mephedrone concentration was 0.15 mg/l. Routine toxicological analysis of the serum and urine specimens using a broad GC/MS toxicology screen did not detect any other drugs or alcohol.

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“…Les propriétés physiologiques et effets de la consommation du khat ont fait l'objet de plusieurs publications [8,9,[26][27][28][29]. On décrit une augmentation de la pression artérielle, une tachycardie, une insomnie, une anorexie, une constipation, une irritabilité, des migraines, une altération des performances sexuelles chez l'homme [12,15].…”

Section: Principaux Effets Cliniquesunclassified

La toxicité du khat impose-t-elle une modification de la réglementation de son usage en Europe?

et al. 2012

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Résumé -Objectif : La consommation de khat (Catha edulis Forsk) est une pratique largement répandue dans les populations de l'est de l'Afrique. En Europe, elle concerne les migrants de première génération et leurs descendants. Le khat ne fait pas l'objet de contrôle au titre des conventions de l'ONU, lesquelles s'appuient sur une recommandation de l'OMS. Cependant, les États demeurent libres de réglementer le khat dans le cadre de leur législation nationale ; c'est le cas de la France et de certains pays européens. Cette discordance entre les réglementations interroge sur la dangerosité réelle ou supposée de cette plante. Méthodes : Nous avons utilisé le moteur de recherche bibliographique PubMed pour identifier les publications pertinentes relatives à sa toxicité. Résultats : L'usage chronique de khat est associé à des altérations de la régulation de la pression artérielle, et à une augmentation du risque d'infarctus du myocarde. Comme le cannabis, le khat peut être impliqué dans la survenue de troubles psychotiques. Le risque addictif n'est pas exclu. Chez l'animal, plusieurs études suggèrent que l'usage de khat favorise l'agressivité. Le caractère cancérogène n'est pas établi même si la génotoxicité est suspectée in vivo. Conclusion : Le risque de complications cardio-vasculaires et psychiatriques de l'usage régulier de khat, son caractère potentiellement cancérogène et la parenté chimique de la cathinone avec l'amphétamine sont autant d'arguments pour justifier l'inscription du khat sur la liste des stupéfiants réglementés. Mots clés : Khat, stupéfiant, réglementationAbstract -Objectives: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) consumption is a widespread practice in populations of Eastern Africa. In Europe, it concerns the first-generation migrants and their descendants. Khat is not subject to control under UN conventions, which are based on a WHO recommendation. However, states remain free to regulate khat within the framework of their national legislation, such as in France and some European countries. This discordance among regulations questions the real or supposed dangerousness of this plant. Methods: We used the search engine of the bibliographic database PubMed, in order to identify the relevant publications on khat's toxicity. Results: Chronic use of khat is associated with deteriorations in the regulation of blood pressure, and an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Like cannabis, khat can be involved in the onset of psychotic disorders. The risk of addiction is not excluded. In animals, several studies suggest that khat use encourages aggressiveness. The carcinogenic nature has not been established, although genotoxicity is suspected in vivo. Conclusions: The risk of cardiovascular and psychiatric complications due to frequent use of khat, its potentially carcinogenic nature, and the chemical relationship of cathinone with amphetamine justify the inscription of khat in the list of controlled narcotics.

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A review of the neuropharmacological properties of khat

Cited by 160 publications

References 147 publications

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

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

Recreational Use of Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC) with Associated Sympathomimetic Toxicity

La toxicité du khat impose-t-elle une modification de la réglementation de son usage en Europe?

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