title: Constipating and spasmolytic effects of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) in experimental animals.
abstract: The constipating and spasmolytic effects of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) were investigated in whole mice and on isolated guinea pig ileum. D-amphetamine was employed in both experiments for comparison. The total distance travelled (expressed in percentage) by charcoal suspension in the gastrointestinal tract of mice was determined before and after khat administration. The procedure was repeated with amphetamine and normal saline. The results were compared. Amplitudes of contraction were recorded with standard spasmogens, histamine and carbachol, in the presence and absence of khat extract of different concentrations. The same was done with amphetamine. Khat extract was observed to reduce the total distance travelled by charcoal suspension, comparable to D-amphetamine. The spasmogenic effects of both histamine and carbachol were observed to be antagonized by the khat extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The antispasmodic effect of khat extract was observed to be similar to that of D-amphetamine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University. EyasuM@eth.healthnet.org
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makonnen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029754:Catha; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts