An Overview of Khat

Magdum, Shantala Shailendra

doi:10.1097/adt.0b013e3181f002db

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In southwestern parts of the Arabian Peninsula and along eastern Africa, people chew the fresh young leaves and twigs of the shrub, Catha edulis Forsk, commonly called khat, for its psychostimulatory effects ( Magdum, 2011 ; Patel, 2015 ). This practice is centuries old and deeply integrated into these societies and communities' traditional and social activity ( Bedada and Engidawork, 2009 ; Mohammed et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catha edulis Forsk (khat) reduces spontaneous and rewarded alternation in female mice

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catha edulis Forsk (khat) reduces spontaneous and rewarded alternation in female mice

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…). These synthetic drugs are derivatives of cathinone, a naturally occurring beta‐ketone amphetamine analogue found in khat ( Catha edulis ), a plant that is abused for its stimulant‐like effects (Magdum ). Typically, synthetic cathinones are sold as ‘bath salts’, ‘plant food’ and other misleading terms, and are marketed as ‘legal highs’ and alternatives to traditionally abused stimulants such cocaine and amphetamines (Drug Enforcement Administration ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potent rewarding and reinforcing effects of the synthetic cathinone 3,4‐methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Reports of abuse and toxic effects of synthetic cathinones, frequently sold as “bath salts” or “legal highs”, have increased dramatically in recent years. One of the most widely used synthetic cathinones is 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). The current study evaluated the abuse potential of MDPV by assessing its ability to support intravenous self-administration and lower thresholds for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) in rats. In the first experiment, rats were trained to intravenously self-administer MDPV in daily 2 hr sessions for 10 days at doses of 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mg/kg/infusion. Rats were then allowed to self-administer MDPV under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. Next, rats self-administered MDPV for an additional 10 days under short (2 hr/day, ShA) or long (6 hr/day, LgA) access conditions to assess escalation of intake. Aseparate group of rats underwent the same procedures with the exception of self-administering methamphetamine (0.05 mg/kg/infusion) instead of MDPV. In a second experiment, the effects of MDPV on ICSS thresholds following acute administration (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg i.p.) were assessed. MDPV maintained self-administration across all doses tested. A positive relationship between MDPV dose and breakpoints for reinforcement under PR conditions was observed. LgA conditions led to escalation of drug intake at the 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg doses, and rats self-administering methamphetamine showed similar patterns of escalation. Finally, MDPV significantly lowered ICSS thresholds at all doses tested. Together, these findings indicate that MDPV has reinforcing properties and activates brain reward circuitry, suggesting a potential for abuse and addiction in humans.

show abstract

“…These emerging drugs of abuse are derivatives of cathinone, a beta-ketone amphetamine with known abuse potential [1] and the primary active alkaloid of the Catha edulis (Khat) plant [2]. In recent years, synthetic cathinones have become increasingly popular as “legal highs” due to online marketing, media coverage, and availability in convenience stores, head shops, and the internet [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Reinforcing and Rewarding Effects of Methylone, a Synthetic Cathinone Commonly Found in “Bath Salts”

Watterson

Hood

Sewalia³

et al. 2013

J Addict Res Ther

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Methylone is a member of the designer drug class known as synthetic cathinones which have become increasingly popular drugs of abuse in recent years. Commonly referred to as “bath salts”, these amphetamine-like compounds are sold as “legal” alternatives to illicit drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). Following their dramatic rise in popularity along with numerous reports of toxicity and death, several of these drugs were classified as Schedule I drugs in the United States in 2012. Despite these bans, these drugs and other new structurally similar analogues continue to be abused. Currently, however, it is unknown whether these compounds possess the potential for compulsive use and addiction. The present study sought to determine the relative abuse liability of methylone by employing intravenous self-administration (IVSA) and intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigms in rats. We demonstrate that methylone (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mg/kg/infusion) dose-dependently functions as a reinforcer, and that there is a significant positive relationship between methylone dose and reinforcer efficacy. Furthermore, responding during short access sessions (ShA, 2 hr/day) appeared more robust than previous IVSA studies with MDMA. However, unlike previous findings with abused stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine, long access sessions (LgA, 6 hr/day) did not lead to escalated drug intake or increased reinforcer efficacy. Finally, methylone produced a dose-dependent, but statistically non-significant, trend towards reductions in ICSS thresholds. Together these results reveal that methylone may possess an addiction potential similar to or greater than MDMA, yet patterns of self-administration and effects on brain reward function suggest that this drug may have a lower potential for abuse and compulsive use than prototypical psychostimulants.

show abstract

An Overview of Khat

Cited by 16 publications

References 17 publications

Catha edulis Forsk (khat) reduces spontaneous and rewarded alternation in female mice

Catha edulis Forsk (khat) reduces spontaneous and rewarded alternation in female mice

Potent rewarding and reinforcing effects of the synthetic cathinone 3,4‐methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)

The Reinforcing and Rewarding Effects of Methylone, a Synthetic Cathinone Commonly Found in “Bath Salts”

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About