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Article

Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat): Evaluation of its Antidepressant‑like Activity

Hassan Alfaifi1, Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab2★, Syam Mohan3, Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha3, Sohier M. Syame3,4, Lamiaa A. Shaala5, Rashad Alsanosy2★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University.
  2. 2Substance Abuse Research Centre, Jazan University.
  3. 3Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, 11420, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
  4. 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, University, Egypt.
  5. 5Natural Products Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah.

CORRESPONDENCE

Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab

Substance Abuse Research Centre, Jazan University.

siddigroa@yahoo.com

Received: 06-10-2016; Revised: 03-11-2016.

Volume 13, Issue 50S · pp. S354–S358 · PUBLISHED 11 July 2017 · DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_442_16

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ABSTRACT

Background: Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat) is traditionally used for treating various disorders. Nevertheless there are no reports of any scientific assessment of its psychopharmacological properties. Objective: Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of Khat ethanolic extract using established animal models of depression and stress. Materials and Methods: Ninety healthy male albino mice were used in this study. Forced swim, tail suspension and head poking tests were utilized to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of the ethanolic extract of Khat (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) and escitalopram (standard drug) which were administered 30 min prior to the tests. Phytochemical analysis of the standardized extract was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). Results: A significant decrease in the head- dipping behavior was noticed after administration of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Khat extract. Moreover, the extract significantly decreased the immobility time in tail suspension and forced swim tests. The presence of cathinone and cathine were detected in the extract using LC-MS. Conclusion: The current results suggest that the extract of Khat leaves has acute antidepressant properties and may have sedative effects.

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    Alfaifi, H., Abdelwahab, S. I., Mohan, S., Taha, M. M. E., Syame, S. M., Shaala, L. A., & Alsanosy, R. (2017). Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat): Evaluation of its Antidepressant‑like Activity. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 13(50S), S354–S358. https://doi.org/10.4103/pm.pm_442_16