ISSN 2169-3048
International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 461-463, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full length research paper
Potential health effects of daily khat leaves chewing: Study on the biochemical blood constituents changes among adults in Sana’a city, Yemen
Rania Hussien Al-Ashwal1, Maher Ali Al.maqtari2, Khalid Mohammed Naji3, Nawal Ali Al-wsabai 4, Sadeq M. Al Hazmy5
1Department of Clinical science Faculty of Bioscience and Medical Engineering, UTM, Johor, Malaysia.
2,3,4 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sana'a University, Yemen.
5Departments of Chemistry, Qassim University, Burayda, AlMurayda, Saudi Arabia.
*Corresponding author.Email: [email protected]
Accepted 21 February, 2013
Abstract
The khat plant (Catha edulis) leaves is grown and consumed daily in Yemen as a natural stimulant by chewing the young buds and tender leaves that contain the stimulant “Cathinone” for the mild stimulant effect. Cathinone is believed to be the main active ingredient in fresh khat leaves. In Yemen this habit has a deep-rooted socio-cultural tradition in which consumers spend part of their time chewing khat (ranging between 6-8 hours per day). The effect of this habit on blood constituent has not been adequately studied in human. There is an extensive literature on khat which estimated the effectiveness and specificity for these substances on kidney and liver function test in animals than humans. The present study was undertaken to investigate the biochemical changes associated with chewing Khat.
Key words: Biochemical assay, Catha edulis, khat, oxidation, per-oxidation, Yemen.