Khat use and appetite: An overview and comparison of amphetamine, khat and cathinone

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance To understand the role of khat (Catha edulis) use on the aberrations in appetite and weight which are common comorbidities for khat and other amphetamine users. Materials and methods We provide a comprehensive overview and conceptual summary of the historical cultural use of khat as a natural stimulant and describe the similarities and differences between cathinone (the main psychoactive constituent of khat) and amphetamine highlighting the limited literature on the neurophysiology of appetite and subsequent weight effects of khat. Results Animal and some human studies indicate that khat produces appetite suppression, although little is known about mechanisms of this effect. Both direct and indirect effects of khat stem from multiple factors including behavioral, chemical and neurophysiological effects on appetite and metabolism. Classic and newly identified appetite hormones have not been explored sufficiently in the study of appetite and khat use. Unique methodological challenges and opportunities are encountered when examining effects of khat and cathinone including khat-specific medical comorbidities, unique route of administration, differential patterns of behavioral effects relative to amphetamines and the nascent state of our understanding of the neurobiology of this drug. Conclusion A considerable amount of work remains in the study of the appetite effects of khat chewing and outline a program of research that could inform our understanding of this natural amphetamine’s appetite effects and help prepare health care workers for the unique health effects of this drug.

Khat (<b><i>Catha edulis</i></b>) and Obesity: A Scoping Review of Animal and Human Studies

“…These differential effects that can be produced by psychostimulants on dopamine and serotonin from in vivo and in vitro findings are interesting [73] due to the following 2 reasons: the inconsistency between in vivo and in vitro findings and the differences in short-and long-term effects of psychostimulants on different regions of the brain (NAc vs. hypothalamus) [74] . Some studies have shown that cathinone has no effect on brain serotonin [68] , while other recent studies have suggested that there is a slight effect [75,76] .…”

“…However, the aforementioned studies postulate that the effect of khat extract -cathinone -or cathine could produce a change in body weight if given at high doses for a sufficient period to observe the effect. Food Intake Although khat use and its effect on appetite has been reviewed recently [75] , it is worth re-emphasising the dosage and duration of khat. Acute studies (hours) showed consistent findings concerning the suppressant effect of cathinone and cathine ( table 1 ).…”

Phytochemical Screening and Cytotoxic Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Young and Mature Khat Leaves

“…Khat is reported to induce toxic hepatitis together with high-titer anti-nuclear antibody mimicking serologic patterns of autoimmune hepatitis and potentially associated with malignant and malignant oral disorders [15]. ere are several pieces of evidence connecting khat chewing to genetic damage of the oral mucosa and cancer [16,17] Esophageal and gastric carcinoma have been observed in khat chewers in both men and women in Yemen [18].…”

Development of the Khat Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception Scale

“…It has been suggested that this use pattern inhibits work productivity and leads to financial problems . Items grouped in weight control were consistent with appetite suppressant effects of cathinone, one of the main ingredients of khat . Finally, family issues included items that describe unfavourable views toward khat use among women.…”