Proconvulsant effect of khat (Catha edulis) in Sprague dawley rats.
BACKGROUND
Catha edulis (khat) is a plant whose fresh young leaves are used by an estimated five million people in eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula as a drug of recreation. The fresh leaves and shoots are rich in cathinone, a psychostimulant with effects similar to those of amphetamines. Psychostimulants produce a dose-related excitation of the central nervous system which can lead to seizures and convulsions. However there are no reports on studies of the effect of this herb on brain excitability and seizures. This knowledge is useful for doctors who may prescribe drugs whose side effects include lowering seizure threshold because there could be additive proconvulsant effect among khat users.


OBJECTIVE
to determined whether khat lowers pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure threshold.


METHODS
Male Sprague dawley rats were given fresh aqueous khat extract, old aqueous khat extract (3 g/kg bw), methylphenidate or saline and the timed intravenous (PTZ) seizure threshold test was used to study its effect on seizure threshold.


RESULTS
Fresh khat (3 g/kg) and methylphenidate (4 mg/kg) lowered PTZ seizure threshold.


CONCLUSIONS
Khat lowers seizure threshold.
Oyungu
Eren
E
Department of Medical Physiology, Moi University, P.O Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya. erenoyungu2002@yahoo.co.uk
Kioy
Paul G
PG
Patel
Nilesh B
NB
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029754:Catha; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects; D003292:Convulsants; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018547:Plant Stems; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003292:Convulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008774:Methylphenidate; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole