Neurological aspects of areca and betel chewing

Abstract

Betel quid chewing has been claimed to produce a sense of well-being, euphoria, warm sensation of the body, sweating, salivation, palpitation, heightened alertness and increased capacity to work. These effects suggest that betel quid chewing affects predominantly the central and autonomic nervous systems. Several studies have been conducted to elucidate the central and autonomic effects of betel quid chewing. The results are: (1) betel quid chewing increased the heart rate with onset within 2 minutes, maximal effect within 4-6 minutes and an average duration of 16.8 minutes. The cardio-acceleratory response was more prominent for fresh and occasional chewers than for habitual chewers; (2) betel quid chewing increased the skin temperature with onset and duration similar to a cardio-acceleratory response. The hyperthermic effect was abolished by atropine and partly inhibited by propranolol. (3) Betel quid chewing had no effect on simple reaction time but shortened the choice reaction time. (4) Betel quid chewing produced widespread cortical desynchronization of EEG. (5) Chewing of one or two betel quids attenuated the sympathetic skin response while continued consumption of more than two betel quids affected the RR interval variation. (6) Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were elevated during betel quid chewing. These studies have confirmed several effects claimed by betel quid users. The effects of betel quid chewing appeared to be habit-related and dose-dependent. Although arecoline has been thought to be responsible for several effects of betel quid chewing, the present data suggest a role also played by sympathetic activation.

Somatic, mood, and vasomotor symptoms at midlife in relation to family structure and household workloads in Sylhet, Bangladesh

“…Betel chewers claim that betel chewing produces facial flushing and a warm sensation in the body. Dizziness, hot sensations, palpitations and sweating are associated with betel nut consumption in habitual users (Chu 2002;Deng et al 2001;Norton 1998). These findings might shed light on the interesting association between chewing betel nut and an increased likelihood of experiencing hot flashes, although careful inspection and systematic study is required on this topic.…”

“…The nut is consumed in its raw and ripe form, in a processed form (boiled and dried/ sundried), or in a fermented form (soaked in water for a few days when it is ripe). Recent studies on humans have shown that the predominant effects of betel quid chewing appear to be exerted on the central and autonomic nervous systems, and these effects are habit related and dose dependent (Chu 2002;Deng et al 2001). Betel chewing produces an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and body temperature (Wyatt et al 1996;Chu 1993).…”

High-Throughput Simultaneous Analysis of Five Urinary Metabolites of Areca Nut and Tobacco Alkaloids by Isotope-Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with On-Line Solid-Phase Extraction

“…Arecoline, the main alkaloid present at up to 1% of dry weight, is thought to be responsible for a central cholinergic stimulation and monoamine transmission, which then activates both sympathetic and parasympathetic effects (6,7). Arecoline has been further shown to be implicated in the pathogenesis of oral diseases because of its genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic potential (3,8).…”

Antioxidant activity ofAreca catechuextracts in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell lines

“…Arecoline, the major alkaloid present out of nine alkaloids found in the betel nut, possesses potent muscarinic action (Chu, 2001) and has now found an application in Alzheimer's disease (Sullivan et al, 2000). The biological effects of betel quid chewing related to health hazards have been reviewed (Chu, 2002;Gupta & Ray, 2004;Jeng et al, 2001;Trivedy et al, 2002;Warnakulasuriya et al, 2002;Winstock, 2002). These include neuronal dependence and oral health hazard leading to development of oral squamous cell carcinoma, including the preceding leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis.…”