Khat consumption: a pharmacological review

Nencini, Paolo; Ahmed, A

doi:10.1016/0376-8716(89)90029-x

Cited by 108 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Numerous laboratory studies have confirmed that cathinone resembles amphetamine in chemical structure and that it affects the central and peripheral nervous system (Kalix, 1990) and behaviour (Woolverton & Johanson, 1984;Zelger, Schorno & Carlini, 1980) similarly (for a review see Kalix, 1991;Nencini & Ahmed, 1989). In the CNS, cathinone provokes the release of catecholamines, especially dopamine, at the presynaptic storage sites, and is about half as potent as amphetamine (Pehek, Schechter & Yamamoto, 1990); it inhibits re-uptake and can produce depletion of central dopamine (Schechter, 1990a(Schechter, , 1990b.…”

Section: Chemical Agents Pharmacology and Neurophysiological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects

Odenwald¹

2007

SUCHT

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Aims: In recent decades, the traditional habit of chewing the khat leaves, which contain the amphetamine-like cathinone, has undergone profound changes in African and Arab countries, from a socially regulated use pattern to uncontrolled consumption. This is of special public mental-health concern. In this article, a review of the scientific literature on the relationship between khat use and psychosis is provided. Results: Several case studies, but only a few group and community-based studies, have addressed this topic. The studies show inconsistent results, have methodological problems, and fail to report quantitative results. Many important questions remain unaddressed. Conclusions: The frequently stated association between khat use and psychosis contrasts with the small number of sound studies. Currently, only a few conclusions can be drawn, that excessive khat use can cause brief psychotic disorders and that people with a preexisting vulnerability should be discouraged to use it. The direction of causality between general psychopathology and khat use remains unclear. This review confirms the need for quantitative, controlled, and longitudinal studies,

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Section: Chemical Agents Pharmacology and Neurophysiological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects

Odenwald¹

2007

SUCHT

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“…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]. The fresh leaves contain cathinone, but this is rapidly degraded and broken down into cathine [4,5]. These compounds are close chemical relatives of synthetic stimulants such as amphetamine or methcathinone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These compounds are close chemical relatives of synthetic stimulants such as amphetamine or methcathinone. The pharmacological activity of the leaves is thought to relate to cathinone, rather than cathine and, therefore, their activity lasts for only a few days after they have been harvested [4,5]. Cathinone is thought to produce its desired stimulatory effects through the release of presynaptic catecholamines [4,6,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pharmacological activity of the leaves is thought to relate to cathinone, rather than cathine and, therefore, their activity lasts for only a few days after they have been harvested [4,5]. Cathinone is thought to produce its desired stimulatory effects through the release of presynaptic catecholamines [4,6,7]. We are aware that synthetic derivatives of cathinone are entering the recreational drug market, including mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC), ethcathinone, and 3-fluoromethcathinone, from analyses of samples from drug amnesty bins that we have undertaken.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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“…The young leaves are slightly sweet (17). Various compounds (over 40) have been identified in miraa, including alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols, glycosides, tannins, amino acids, minerals and others (27) The phenylalkylamines and cathedulins are the major alkaloids. The miraa phenylalkylamines comprise cathinone (S-(-)-cathinone) and the two diastereoisomerscathine (1S, 2 S-(+)-norpseudoephedrine or (+)-norpseudoephedrine) and norephedrine (1R,2 S-(-)-norephedrine).…”

Section: Composition Of Miraamentioning

confidence: 99%

Oral Mucosal Cytological Changes among Miraa Chewers in Meru Kenya

Ogada¹,

L.W²,

J.R³

2014

IOSRJDMS

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Abstract:Background: Miraa, qat, chat, cat, ghat or khat (Catha edulis) I. IntroductionOral and pharyngeal cancers combined represent the fifth most common type of cancer and the seventh most common cause of deaths by cancer worldwide, although oral cancer is more common than pharyngeal cancer (1). Oral and pharyngeal cancers are three times more common in males than in females (2). Factors such as alcohol, tobacco, diet low in fruits and vegetables, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and excessive sun exposure have been associated with oral cancer as well as habitual miraa chewing (3-6).The harmful effects of miraa chewing have been observed in various body systems (7). Most of the active compounds of miraa are released into saliva during chewing and are mainly absorbed through the oral mucosa (8). The oral mucosa is thus exposed to high doses of miraa components, rendering it susceptible to Oral Mucosal Cytological Changes among Miraa Chewers in Meru Kenyawww.iosrjournals.org 69 | Page potentially toxic effects. Miraa chewing induces oral keratotic white lesions on the buccal mucosa of miraa chewers. These lesions have been shown to occur specifically at the regions where the miraa bolus is placed during chewing (9). Miraa is genotoxic to cells in the oral mucosa, with several studies suggesting an association between miraa use and oral lesions like hyperkeratosis and oral cancer. Current reports show that the prevalence of oral cancer associated with miraa chewing is on the increase both in the developed and developing countries (4). The carcinogens acquired from miraa chewing lead to acquisition of genomic disorders promoting malignancy. Two types of precancerous lesions in the oral cavity are identified, the principal precancerous lesion being white lesions (leukoplakia) and the less common red lesions (erythroplakia) (10). A high prevalence of oral leukoplakia in any population is a strong indicator of risk for oral cancer. In addition, the use of tobacco has generally been accepted as the principal etiologic factor for oral Leukoplakia (11,12). However, the observation of this lesion in individual who do not use tobacco implies that non-tobacco factors may also play a role (13,14). Alcohol and miraa have been suspected as possible etiological co-factors for oral mucosal cancer, but their independent roles have not been established (14,15).In Kenya, in addition to using tobacco, the Ameru people widely use alcohol and miraa, which are popular because of their socio-cultural values in this community. This ethnic group is ranked high among communities most affected by both oral and naso-pharyngeal carcinomas because of the high cultivation and consumption of miraa (14).The success of oral cancer prevention in this region will rely on the better understanding of the prevalence, risk factors and identification of possible etiological factors involved, identification of precancerous lesions through screening as well as management of these pre-cancerous lesions. This study therefore sought to describe the ora...

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Khat consumption: a pharmacological review

Cited by 108 publications

References 63 publications

Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects

Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects

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

Oral Mucosal Cytological Changes among Miraa Chewers in Meru Kenya

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