title: Catha edulis Extract Induces H9c2 Cell Apoptosis by Increasing Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Activation of Mitochondrial Proteins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen shrub or small tree, traditionally used by various peoples of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa as an integral component of the socioeconomic traditions. It is believed that the psychostimulant nature and toxic nature of khat is primarily due to the presence of cathinone and cathine respectively. Studies have shown that khat chewing is closely associated with cardiac complications, especially myocardial infarction. Hence in this study, we exposed cathine-rich khat extract in a cardiomyoblast H9c2 (2-1) cell line to check the cell death mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extraction of Catha edulis leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with LC-MS-MS. The anti-proliferative activity was assayed using MTT and apoptosis detection by acridine orange/propidium iodide assay. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and caspase-3/7 expression were analyzed. The level of reactive oxygen species generation was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The khat extract showed an IC50 value of 86.5 μg/ml at 48 hours treatment. We have observed significant early apoptosis events by intervened acridine orange within the fragmented DNA with bright green fluorescence upon treatment. The Bcl-2 expression in the treatment with IC50 concentration of khat extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation significantly decreased with increase in bax level. The increased activation of caspase-3/7 was significantly observed upon treatment together with significant increase of ROS was detected at 24 and 48 hours treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, our results provide insight into the mechanisms by which Catha edulis leaves mediate cell death in cardiomyocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Catha edulis (Khat) is an evergreen psychotropic shrub or small treeExtraction of khat leaves was done and the presence of cathine was confirmed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometryThe khat extract showed an IC(50) value of 86.5 μg/ml at 48 h treatment in H9c2 (2-1) cell lineThe observed cell death was associated with increased expression of Bcl2 and caspase-3Significant increase of reactive oxygen species was also detected in the cell with treatment. Abbreviations used: CNS: central nervous system; AMI: acute myocardial infarction; TLC: thin layer chromatography; ESI: electrospray ionization; FBS: fetal bovine serum; DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; AO; acridine orange; PI; propidium iodide; HRP: horseradish peroxidase; HBSS: hank's balanced salt solution; DCFH-DA: 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate; NAC, 10 mM: NAC: N-acetyl cysteine; ROS: reactive oxygen species.
authors: Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Syam
authors: S
authors: Mohan
authors: Substance Abuse Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Siddig Ibrahim
authors: SI
authors: Abdelwahab
authors: Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Yahya Hasan
authors: YH
authors: Hobani
authors: Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Suvitha
authors: S
authors: Syam
authors: Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Al Baha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Adel S
authors: AS
authors: Al-Zubairi
authors: Substance Abuse Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Rashad
authors: R
authors: Al-Sanousi
authors: Confirmatory and Specialized Analyzers Unit, Poison Control Centre, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Magbool Essa
authors: ME
authors: Oraiby
keywords: Apoptosis; Catha edulis; cathine; myocardial infarction; toxicity