What science says about khat (Catha edulis Forsk)? Overview of chemistry, toxicology and pharmacology

Wabe, Nasir; Mohammed, Mohammed Adem

doi:10.5455/jeim.221211.rw.005

Cited by 35 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…2 Other constituents identified include cathidine, eduline, and ephedrine, which are less significant in terms of action. Kassim and Croucher 17 have summarized the various adverse effects reported due to the use of khat in humans.…”

Section: Medical Harms Of Khat Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

et al. 2015

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Recent reports suggest that 20 million people worldwide are regularly using khat as a stimulant, even though the habit of chewing khat is known to cause serious health issues. Historical evidence suggests khat use has existed since the 13th century in Ethiopia and the southwestern Arabian regions even before the cultivation and use of coffee. In the past three decades, its availability and use spread all over the world including the United States and Europe. Most of the consumers in the Western world are immigrant groups from Eastern Africa or the Middle East. The global transport and availability of khat has been enhanced by the development of synthetic forms of its active component. The World Health Organization considers khat a drug of abuse since it causes a range of health problems. However, it remains lawful in some countries. Khat use has long been a part of Yemeni culture and is used in virtually every social occasion. The main component of khat is cathinone, which is structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine and cocaine. Several studies have demonstrated that khat chewing has unfavorable cardiovascular effects. The effect on the myocardium could be explained by its effect on the heart rate, blood pressure, its vasomotor effect on the coronary vessels, and its amphetamine-like effects. However, its direct effect on the myocardium needs further elaboration. To date, there are few articles that contribute death among khat chewers to khat-induced heart failure. Further studies are needed to address the risk factors in khat chewers that may explain khat-induced cardiotoxicity, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure.

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Section: Medical Harms Of Khat Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

et al. 2015

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“…Les propriétés physiologiques et effets de la consommation du khat ont fait l'objet de plusieurs publications [8,9,[26][27][28][29]. On décrit une augmentation de la pression artérielle, une tachycardie, une insomnie, une anorexie, une constipation, une irritabilité, des migraines, une altération des performances sexuelles chez l'homme [12,15].…”

Section: Principaux Effets Cliniquesunclassified

“…En dépit de croyances traditionnelles, les données associant l'usage régulier de khat en tant que plante aux propriétés psychostimulantes et comportements violents sont peu nombreuses [12,28]. Dans une étude réalisée en Somalie [42], il a été mis en évidence des comportements perturbateurs et violents chez les usagers chroniques de khat.…”

Section: Effets Sur Le Système Nerveux Centralunclassified

La toxicité du khat impose-t-elle une modification de la réglementation de son usage en Europe?

et al. 2012

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Résumé -Objectif : La consommation de khat (Catha edulis Forsk) est une pratique largement répandue dans les populations de l'est de l'Afrique. En Europe, elle concerne les migrants de première génération et leurs descendants. Le khat ne fait pas l'objet de contrôle au titre des conventions de l'ONU, lesquelles s'appuient sur une recommandation de l'OMS. Cependant, les États demeurent libres de réglementer le khat dans le cadre de leur législation nationale ; c'est le cas de la France et de certains pays européens. Cette discordance entre les réglementations interroge sur la dangerosité réelle ou supposée de cette plante. Méthodes : Nous avons utilisé le moteur de recherche bibliographique PubMed pour identifier les publications pertinentes relatives à sa toxicité. Résultats : L'usage chronique de khat est associé à des altérations de la régulation de la pression artérielle, et à une augmentation du risque d'infarctus du myocarde. Comme le cannabis, le khat peut être impliqué dans la survenue de troubles psychotiques. Le risque addictif n'est pas exclu. Chez l'animal, plusieurs études suggèrent que l'usage de khat favorise l'agressivité. Le caractère cancérogène n'est pas établi même si la génotoxicité est suspectée in vivo. Conclusion : Le risque de complications cardio-vasculaires et psychiatriques de l'usage régulier de khat, son caractère potentiellement cancérogène et la parenté chimique de la cathinone avec l'amphétamine sont autant d'arguments pour justifier l'inscription du khat sur la liste des stupéfiants réglementés. Mots clés : Khat, stupéfiant, réglementationAbstract -Objectives: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) consumption is a widespread practice in populations of Eastern Africa. In Europe, it concerns the first-generation migrants and their descendants. Khat is not subject to control under UN conventions, which are based on a WHO recommendation. However, states remain free to regulate khat within the framework of their national legislation, such as in France and some European countries. This discordance among regulations questions the real or supposed dangerousness of this plant. Methods: We used the search engine of the bibliographic database PubMed, in order to identify the relevant publications on khat's toxicity. Results: Chronic use of khat is associated with deteriorations in the regulation of blood pressure, and an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Like cannabis, khat can be involved in the onset of psychotic disorders. The risk of addiction is not excluded. In animals, several studies suggest that khat use encourages aggressiveness. The carcinogenic nature has not been established, although genotoxicity is suspected in vivo. Conclusions: The risk of cardiovascular and psychiatric complications due to frequent use of khat, its potentially carcinogenic nature, and the chemical relationship of cathinone with amphetamine justify the inscription of khat in the list of controlled narcotics.

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“…The main active compounds are cathine and cathinone, chemically similar to amphetamine [30,32]. Cathinone works by increasing the amount of neurotransmitter -dopamine [33,34]. The phenylpropylamine composition of khat varies between countries and regions of origin.…”

Section: Illegal Plant Species Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychoactive plants used in designer drugs as a threat to public health

2015

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S u m m a r yBased on epidemiologic surveys conducted in [2007][2008][2009][2010][2011][2012][2013], an increase in the consumption of psychoactive substances has been observed. This growth is noticeable in Europe and in Poland. With the 'designer drugs' launch on the market, which ingredients were not placed on the list of controlled substances in the Misuse of Drugs Act, a rise in the number and diversity of psychoactive agents and mixtures was noticed, used to achieve a different state of mind. Thus, the threat to the health and lives of people who use them has grown. In this paper, the authors describe the phenomenon of the use of plant psychoactive substances, paying attention to young people who experiment with new narcotics. This article also discusses the mode of action and side effects of plant materials proscribed under the

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What science says about khat (Catha edulis Forsk)? Overview of chemistry, toxicology and pharmacology

Cited by 35 publications

References 63 publications

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

Khat Use: History and Heart Failure

La toxicité du khat impose-t-elle une modification de la réglementation de son usage en Europe?

Psychoactive plants used in designer drugs as a threat to public health

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