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392870

Unveiling the Multifaceted Effects of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.): Insights into Reproductive Health, Cardiovascular Dynamics, and Cognitive Function

Article

Last updated: 25 Dec 2024

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Abstract

    This study aims to analyze the influence of the water-based extract from Khat leaves, a plant frequently chewed in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, on the health of various vital organs. Thirty (30) albino female rats were randomized into two groups: a control group and a treatment group. The treatment group provided 1 mL of a 700 mg/kg aqueous Khat extract daily for four weeks. Khat-treated rats revealed greater malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating increased oxidative stress. At the same time, their antioxidant enzymes—glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)—declined dramatically. This shows that Khat affects the body's balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses. This suggests an imbalance in the oxidative state, accompanied by heightened oxidative damage. Cytokine profiling indicated a considerable decline in the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), alongside a rise in the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). The findings suggested that cardiac enzymes such as troponin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were considerably elevated in the Khat treatment cohort. The hormonal testing demonstrated a considerable spike in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and serum testosterone, accompanying a marked fall in estrogen levels. Histological investigations indicated significant abnormalities in the tissue architecture of the heart, brain, and ovaries in the Khat-treated patients. The findings suggest that protracted intake of Khat as a masticatory material may adversely influence the body's essential organs.

DOI

10.21608/jbaar.2024.392870

Keywords

Khat, Catha edulis, Infertility, Cardiovascular disease, Brain, antioxidants, Cytokines

Authors

First Name

Mabrouk

Last Name

Abo-Zaid

MiddleName

A.

Affiliation

Department of Biology, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box. 114, Jazan 45142, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Email

mabuzaid@jazanu.edu.sa

City

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Orcid

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Volume

10

Article Issue

4

Related Issue

51299

Issue Date

2024-11-01

Receive Date

2024-08-01

Publish Date

2024-11-20

Page Start

786

Page End

808

Print ISSN

2356-9174

Online ISSN

2356-9182

Link

https://jbaar.journals.ekb.eg/article_392870.html

Detail API

https://jbaar.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=392870

Order

392,870

Type

Original Article

Type Code

1,272

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Bioscience and Applied Research

Publication Link

https://jbaar.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Unveiling the Multifaceted Effects of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.): Insights into Reproductive Health, Cardiovascular Dynamics, and Cognitive Function

Details

Type

Article

Created At

25 Dec 2024