The Potential Health Risks of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) Consumption on Some Vital Organs

Abstract Introduction/Objective Introduction: Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) leaves are widely chewed by adults in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa for their mild stimulating properties. Objectives To investigate the impact of an aqueous extract of Catha edulis Forsk leaves on the proper functioning of vital organs. Methods/Case Report Methods: Materials and methods: Twenty-five female albino rats were divided into two groups: a control group and a treated group which received a daily gavage of 1 ml of aqueous Khat extract with a concentration of 700 mg/kg body weight for four weeks. The effects of this treatment on selected organs, including the brain, hippocampus, heart, and ovaries, were assessed using various measurements and analyses. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Results: Results: The antioxidant evaluation showed a significant increase in MDA levels in the khat group and a significant decrease in GSH, SOD, and CAT levels compared to the control group. There was a significant decrease in IL-4 and a significant increase in TNF-α and TGF-β1 compared to the control group. In contrast, the cardiac enzymes; Troponin, CK, CPK, and GOT showed a significant increase compared to the control group. The results of the hormonal assay indicated a significant increase in LH, FSH, and testosterone levels, along with a significant decrease in estrogen in the khat group compared to the control group. Furthermore, the histological investigations revealed significant changes in tissue architecture in the studied organs. In the heart, the treated group exhibited an intact, thick pericardium, along with markedly apoptotic cardiac muscle fibers and others with pyknotic nuclei and mildly congested blood vessels and capillaries. The examination of brain tissues in the treated group showed thick meninges with mild inflammatory infiltrate, marked astrogliosis with degenerated neurons in the cerebral cortex, inflammatory infiltrate with abscess formation and mildly congested blood vessels and eosinophilic plaque-like area in the deep cortex, and scattered degenerated neurons and some neurons with nuclear vacuoles and average glial cells in the white matter. In the ovaries, sections showed primary, secondary, and antral follicles, scattered cystically dilated follicles with atrophied lining, and multiple corpora lutea in the edematous stroma with scattered apoptotic stromal cells. Conclusion Based on these findings, long-term use of khat as a chewing material may harm vital organs.