Mechanism of action of cathinone: the active ingredient of khat (Catha edulis).
OBJECTIVE
To review the current understanding of the mechanism of action of cathinone, the active ingredient of khat.


METHODS
Published experimental studies on the nature and action and effect of cathinone on the central nervous system both in animals and humans.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Patel
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NB
Department of Medical Physiology, University of Nairobi, P O Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D029754:Catha / Q000737:chemistry*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy
D000470:Alkaloids; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; C023665:cathinone; D000661:Amphetamine