Postmortem Distribution of Cathinone and Cathine in Human Biological Specimens in a Case of Death Associated with Khat Chewing

Attafi, Ibraheem M.; Albeishy, Mohammed; Oraiby, Magbool E.; Khardali, Ibrahim A.; Shaikhain, Ghassan A.; Fageeh, Mohsen M.

doi:10.26735/16586794.2018.013

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…To further validate the results of this study, the plasma of CEWEtreated rats was examined using LC-MS/MS to quantify the levels of cathine and cathinone. LC-MS is currently regarded as the best method for the detection of amphetamine-like compounds in research and forensic laboratories [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the Anorexic Potential of Khat: An Integrated in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico Investigation

Jerah,

Taha,

Farasani

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Chewing khat (Catha edulis) releases cathine and cathinone, which may reduce appetite through an unknown mechanism. This study investigated the peripheral and central effects of fresh leaves and buds of C. edulis water extract (CEWE) on appetite and body weight, using in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico models. Rats of both sexes were used for three different experiments. Serotonin receptors were studied using isolated rat fundus samples and molecular docking. Significant differences in body weight were observed in the CEWE-treated groups compared with the controls over eight weeks. However, plasma leptin and ghrelin levels did not change significantly. The expression of the ghrelin and leptin genes was also unaffected, but the expression of the 5-HT gene decreased with CEWE treatment. CEWE antagonizes 5-HT receptors in isolated rat fundus samples. In silico docking indicated that the khat ligands inhibited 5-HT2C receptors. Cathine and cathinone levels in rat plasma were measured. These findings suggest that the appetite-suppressing role of khat can be attributed to its antagonistic effect on 5-HT receptors. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action of the khat extract. These findings provide a basis for future studies to validate and expand on these discoveries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the Anorexic Potential of Khat: An Integrated in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico Investigation

Jerah,

Taha,

Farasani

et al. 2024

Preprint

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show abstract

“…Few articles have documented fatalities associated with khat, and there is currently no established reference range for cathinone and cathine that is toxic and lethal [ 22 , 30 , 31 ]. Cathinone and cathine were found in the blood, urine, vitreous humor, brain, liver, kidney, and stomach in previous studies on fatalities involving khat.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatalities Involving Khat in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, 2018 to 2021

Shaikhain

Gaballah

Alhazmi

et al. 2023

Toxics

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Interpreting fatalities involving khat is challenging due to a lack of data on cathinone and cathine reference concentrations in postmortem tissues. This study investigated the autopsy findings and toxicological results of fatalities involving khat in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021. All confirmed cathine and cathinone results in postmortem blood, urine, brain, liver, kidney, and stomach samples were recorded and analyzed. Autopsy findings and the manner and cause of death of the deceased were assessed. Saudi Arabia’s Forensic Medicine Center investigated 651 fatality cases over four years. Thirty postmortem samples were positive for khat’s active constituents, cathinone and cathine. The percentage of fatalities involving khat was 3% in 2018 and 2019 and increased from 4% in 2020 to 9% in 2021, when compared with all fatal cases. They were all males ranging in age from 23 to 45. Firearm injuries (10 cases), hanging (7 cases), road traffic accident (2 cases), head injury (2 cases), stab wounds (2 cases), poisoning (2 cases), unknown (2 cases), ischemic heart disease (1 case), brain tumor (1 case), and choking (1 case) were responsible for the deaths. In total, 57% of the postmortem samples tested positive for khat only, while 43% tested positive for khat with other drugs. Amphetamine is the drug most frequently involved. The average cathinone and cathine concentrations were 85 and 486 ng/mL in the blood, 69 and 682 ng/mL in the brain, 64 and 635 ng/mL in the liver, and 43 and 758 ng/mL in the kidneys, respectively. The 10th–90th percentiles of blood concentrations of cathinone and cathine were 18–218 ng/mL and 222–843 ng/mL, respectively. These findings show that 90% of fatalities involving khat had cathinone concentrations greater than 18 ng/mL and cathine concentrations greater than 222 ng/mL. According to the cause of death, homicide was the most common fatality involving khat alone (77%). More research is required, especially toxicological and autopsy findings, to determine the involvement of khat in crimes and fatalities. This study may help forensic scientists and toxicologists investigate fatalities involving khat.

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“…We thank Corkery et al, [1] for their knowledgeable comments on our study in which we determined the postmortem concentrations of cathinone and cathine in a fatal case suspected to be due to khat overdose [2]. One concern was that several factors should be considered in determining cathinone and cathine such as sampling site and time.…”

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confidence: 99%

Author's Response

Attafi¹,

Albeishy²,

Oraiby³

et al. 2021

AJFSFM

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This letter is a response to Letter to the Editor (Corkery J, Schifano F, Guirguis A. Commentary on: Attafi IM, Albeishy MY, Oraiby ME, Khardali IA, Shaikhain GA, Fageeh MM. Postmortem Distribution of Cathinone and Cathine in Human Biological Specimens in a Case of Death Associated with Khat Chewing. Arab J Forensic Sci Forensic Med. 2018 Jun 7;1(7). Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine. 2019 Dec 31;1(10):1473-1475).

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Postmortem Distribution of Cathinone and Cathine in Human Biological Specimens in a Case of Death Associated with Khat Chewing

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Insights into the Anorexic Potential of Khat: An Integrated in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico Investigation

Insights into the Anorexic Potential of Khat: An Integrated in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico Investigation

Fatalities Involving Khat in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, 2018 to 2021

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