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- Title
Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat): Evaluation of its Antidepressant-like Activity.
- Authors
Alfaifi, Hassan; Abdelwahab, Siddig Ibrahim; Mohan, Syam; Elhassan Taha, Manal Mohamed; Syame, Sohier M.; Shaala, Lamiaa A.; Alsanosy, Rashad
- 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.
- Subjects
KHAT; HERBAL medicine; ANTIDEPRESSANTS; ANIMAL models of mental depression; THERAPEUTIC use of plant extracts; ESCITALOPRAM; SEDATIVES; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2017, Vol 13, pS354
- ISSN
0973-1296
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4103/pm.pm_442_16