Khat Plant and chewing by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Natural Health and Fitness website
Khat is the Celastraceus edulis plant, a flowering evergreen tree or large shrub, which grows in the Horn of Africa and southwestern Arabia. The leaves of the khat plant, which is also known as qat, are chewed for the feeling of euphoria they produce. But scientists at King's College London have discovered that they also contain chemicals that help sperm mature and fertilise an egg. In studies of mouse and human sperm, the scientists discovered that amphetamine-like compounds which belong to a group of chemicals known as phenylpropanolamines (PPAs) stimulated and extended the final maturing process in sperm. Bath salts contain manmade chemicals like mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MDPV, also known as substituted cathinones. Both drugs are related to khat, the organic stimulant found in Arab and East African countries that is illegal in the United States.
Kath Plant research
Catha edulis (Khat) induces cell death by apoptosis in
leukemia cell
lines.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003.
Khat is the Celastraceus edulis plant, a flowering evergreen tree or large
shrub, which grows in the Horn of Africa and southwestern Arabia. Khat use has
been associated with development of oral cancer, but its molecular effects
remain controversial. This study describes a novel cytotoxic effect of whole
khat extract on three leukemia cell lines. Cells were exposed to khat extract
and harvested for analysis by fluorescent and electron microscopy, trypan blue
exclusion, as well as immunoblotting to characterize the mode of cell death. In
a separate series, cells were pretreated with a panel of caspase inhibitors for
possible inhibitory effects. Khat induced a rapid cell death effect in HL-60,
Jurkat, and NB4 cells that occurred within 2 h of exposure. The treated cells
retained their ability to exclude trypan blue dye, a key feature in the
apoptotic process. Exposed cells consistently developed morphological features
of manifest apoptosis. Z-VAD, a pan-caspase inhibitor, completely inhibited
toxic activity for up to 8 h, with partial inhibition by other caspase-specific
agents. Western blot analysis showed specific cleavage of caspase-3 in khat-exposed
cells. This study shows that khat induces cell death by apoptosis in a process
sensitive to inhibition by caspase inhibitors, suggesting that subcellular
interactions could be of particular relevance for the biological effects of khat
in the cell death process and possibly carcinogenesis.
Effects of khat (Catha edulis) consumption on
reproductive functions: a review.
East Afr Med J. 2003.
To review research findings on the effects of khat
chewing on reproductive functions. Retrieval and critical review
of relevant articles and abstracts cited in international and local journals,
literature searches on Medline and Medchem from 1961 to 2002. Analysis of published data and limited interviews of regular khat users revealed
that khat chewing lowers libido in humans and may also lead to sexual impotence
following long term use. In pregnant women, consumption of khat affects growth
of foetus by inhibiting utero-placental blood flow and as a consequence, impairs
foetal growth. Detailed studies on the effects of khat on
reproduction are lacking. However, the limited available data reveal that
chewing of khat has a negative impact on human reproductive health. Khat is
genotoxic and has teratogenic effects on the foetus if regularly consumed by
pregnant mothers. Since low birth weight is a well-established risk factor for
both perinatal and young infant death, khat chewing during pregnancy may be one
of the factors contributing to infant mortality in communities where khat is
commonly chewed. Khat consumption affects the potency of male sexuality by
affecting spermatogenesis and plasma
testosterone concentration. However, the
precise mechanisms by which khat may affect the male reproductive physiology
have not been elucidated.
Mechanism of action of cathinone: the active ingredient of khat (Catha edulis).
East Afr Med J. 2000.
To review the current understanding of the mechanism of action of cathinone, the active ingredient of khat. Published experimental
studies on the nature and action and effect of cathinone on the central nervous
system both in animals and humans. Data was taken from work
published on the mechanism of action of cathinone and also from work where the
action of cathinone and amphetamine was compared. Data from
various studies on cathinone was compared for common themes with regards to its
action and similarity with the known mechanism of action of amphetamine.
The experimental work shows that cathinone is a liable substance,
structually related to amphetamine, and similarly to amphetamine, increases the
levels of dopamine in the brain by acting on the cathecholaminergic synaspes.
Hence the psychostimulant effect of khat can be accounted for by the mechanism
of cathinone, which is considered to be its main active ingredient.
Emails
Q. I just ordered kava from you but i would like to inquire about an herb
called khat. why is it so hard to find in the U.S.? i know you can buy the
'seeds' on-line but i'm afraid they won't be authentic. do you sell it and
if not will you be? thanks for your help!
A. I don't know much about it and why it is not sold here in the US.
Our research staff just attended a supplement trade show and we did not
see any companies selling khat plant or seed.
Q. Is khat a drug, does it help with
impotence?
A. Khat is a plant, and as such has compounds that
could act as a drug in the body. I don't know how it influences erectile
function or whether it has
sexual enhancement attributes.
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