Effect of Khat (Catha edulisForsk) extract on testicular maturation in pre‐pubertal and pubertal rats: A morphological and biochemical study

Abstract

The present study aimed at analysing the effect of Khat plant extract on rat testicular development. Thirty‐two weaned male albino rats (4 weeks old) were divided into four groups consisting of eight animals each. While control animals received normal saline, rats of groups I, II and III received 100, 200 and 300 mg Khat extract per kg body weight dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 8 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were collected in separate heparinized tubes by cardiac puncture from each rat and processed for measuring plasma levels of reproductive hormones LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin. Five‐µm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscope. Some sections were immunostained for protamine‐1 representing a biomarker for intact sperm differentiation. The present study clearly demonstrated that Khat extract has a pronounced effect on testicular maturation of developing albino rats at both the morphological and functional levels. Khat‐treated groups revealed a significantly low serum testosterone level and severe impairment of spermatogenesis when compared with control animals. The current findings also verified, for the first time, that the final stages of sperm maturation (spermiogenesis) were strongly impaired after administration of Khat extract to experimental rats particularly at a higher dose (300 mg/kg body weight). This was proved by the very weak, if any, expression of protamine‐1 in the maturing spermatids in Khat‐treated rats.

Unraveling the Catha edulis Extract Effects on the Cellular and Molecular Signaling in SKOV3 Cells

“…Khat leaves (126 g) were washed in distilled water, chopped on a metal plate, and crushed by a blender. Methanolic khat extraction was carried out as previously described ( Abou-Elhamd et al, 2020 ). In brief, crushed leaves were immersed in 100 ml methanol (Sigma-Aldrich, Taufkirchen, Germany) and kept on a rotary shaker for 2 h. The mixture was filtrated through an 11 mm filter paper (Grade 1, Whatman, Kent, United Kingdom).…”

“…In rats, khat extracts induced apoptosis, degeneration of hepatocytes ( Al-Habori et al, 2002 ; Al-Mamary et al, 2002 ; Ageely et al, 2014 ), embryotoxicity, and severe teratogenicity ( Islam et al, 1994 ; Abou-Elhamd et al, 2018 ). In male rats, it impaired the process of spermiogenesis ( Abou-Elhamd et al, 2020 ), while in females, it increased the oxidative stress markers ( Arafa et al, 2019 ).…”

A Narrative Review of the Toxic Effects on Male Reproductive and Sexual Health of Chewing the Psychostimulant, Catha edulis (Khat)

“…Khat contains various chemical components that may have different effects on the human body. The essential active ingredients of khat are cathine (norpseudoephedrine) and cathinone [(S)-2-amino-l-phenyl-l-propanone] [ 14 ].…”

“…Manic psychosis and paranoid or schizophrenia spectrum disorder were the 2 main kinds of psychosis induced by chronic khat consumption [ 28 ]. Khat-induced psychosis does not typically require antipsychotics, as complete remission follows khat withdrawal [ 14 , 28 – 32 ]. Elevated diastolic blood pressure is another adverse effect attributed to cathinone, which causes peripheral vasoconstriction due to increased sympathetic activity [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“…Consumption of khat affects spermatogenesis and plasma testosterone levels, which in turn impacts male rate potency [ 14 ]. In a study conducted on baboons [ 49 ], crude khat extract was found to increase plasma testosterone levels while decreasing prolactin and cortisol levels; however, it did not affect the testicular histology, which is in contrast to a previous study in rats [ 16 ] in which administration of cathinone was found to cause interstitial tissue degradation, cellular infiltration, and atrophy of Sertoli and Leydig cells.…”