Investigation into the toxicological effects of Catha edulis leaves: a short term study in animals

Abstract

In this study the short term (3 months) toxicological effects of varying levels of Catha edulis leaves were examined on the plasma concentration of liver enzymes and the histopathology of tissue sections of various organs including the liver, kidneys, spleen and testis. Both the biochemical and histopathological data demonstrated, initial signs of Catha edulis toxicity. Our results show a significant increase in plasma levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with all levels of Catha edulis leaves tested and throughout the treatment period. The increase of ALP was more prominent than that of ALT. The plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were only moderately increased at the higher dose (30%) in the later stages of treatment. In addition, a time-dependent gradual increase in indirect bilirubin with a concomitant decrease in direct bilirubin levels was observed with the 30% Catha edulis with no signs of haemolysis. The histopathology of tissue sections of the liver displayed evidence of congestion of the central liver veins as well as acute hepatocellular degenerative and regenerative activities in the tissue sections obtained from animals treated with both 20% and 30% Catha edulis. Similarly, histopathological examination of the tissue sections of the kidneys showed some lesions, and the degree of the lesion increased as the dose of Catha edulis leaves increased including: the presence of fat droplets particularly seen in the upper cortical tubules; acute cellular swelling; hyaline tubules; and acute tubular nephrosis. In contrast, Catha edulis treatment did not affect the spleen and increased the rate of spermatogenesis in male rabbits with the spermatozoa being quite evident, the Leydig cells were in good condition and were not affected by the doses given.

Assessment of Acute and Subacute Toxicity of the Total Dichloromethane-Ethanol Extract of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh (ETDE) on Rats

“…27 It can provide a quantitative assessment of the degree of damage to the liver. 28 Our results show that ETDE caused no damage to the liver as shown Sucheta et al 29 Urea and creatinine are markers of renal function 25 have not seen their rates varied by ETDE.…”

Khat (Catha edulis)-induced apoptosis is inhibited by antagonists of caspase-1 and -8 in human leukaemia cells

“…In rats, a decreased serum level of free radical metabolising/ scavenging enzymes and glucose has been observed after oral administration, suggesting a deranged systemic capacity to handle oxidative radicals after khat use (Al-Qirim et al, 2002). It has also been reported that khat induces cytotoxic effects in cells (Al-Ahdal et al, 1988;Al-Meshal et al, 1991;Al-Mamary et al, 2002;Dimba et al, 2003) and in lymphoid tissue, and in the liver and kidney after per oral administration to white rabbits (Al-Meshal et al, 1991;Al-Mamary et al, 2002), but the mode of cell death has not so far been addressed.…”

Chronic Khat (Catha edulis) Ingestion as a Possible Triggering Agent in the Development of Autoimmune Hepatitis

“…The hepatotoxic features from these studies revealed marked increases in the plasma concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and liver transaminases, along with steady increases in direct and total bilirubin levels. Additionally, histopathological analysis from these studies revealed mixed inflammatory infiltrate and portoportal fibrosis [7,8]. Human studies have corroborated this evidence through an increasing number of case studies published from Europe and Australia on khat-induced hepatotoxicity in Yemeni and Somali immigrants [9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…With khat use becoming more prevalent, there has been an increased awareness and growing concern about the potential for khat-induced hepatotoxic injury [1,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Animal studies published in 2002 have evaluated the toxicological effects of long-term khat ingestion and have shown significant hepatotoxic injury from khat exposure in rabbits [7,8].…”

“…Animal studies published in 2002 have evaluated the toxicological effects of long-term khat ingestion and have shown significant hepatotoxic injury from khat exposure in rabbits [7,8]. The hepatotoxic features from these studies revealed marked increases in the plasma concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and liver transaminases, along with steady increases in direct and total bilirubin levels.…”