BACKGROUND Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is an evergreen shrub of the Celastraceae family. It is widely cultivated in Yemen and East Africa, where its fresh leaves are habitually chewed for their momentary pleasures and stimulation as amphetamine-like effects. The main psychostimulant constituents of khat are the phenylpropylamino alkaloids: cathinone, cathine and norephedrine. RESULTS In this st...

Background: Khat (Catha edulis forks, family: celastraceae) is a plant grown in East-Africa and the south west of the Arabian Peninsula. People uses for its pleasant stimulant effect of physical activity, consciousness, motor and mental functions as well as its anti-fatigue action. Although there is a rich body of research available regarding the effect of acute and chronic khat dosing in anima...

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) is a flowering perennial shrub cultivated for its neurostimulant properties resulting mainly from the occurrence of (S)-cathinone in young leaves. The biosynthesis of (S)-cathinone and the related phenylpropylamino alkaloids (1S,2S)-cathine and (1R,2S)-norephedrine is not well characterized in plants. We prepared a cDNA library from young khat leaves and sequenced 4,8...

Catha edulis is an evergreen tree with psychotropic effects. The present work was conducted to evaluate the possible effects of the ethanolic extracts of Catha edulis leaves (ECE) on the electrical activity of 4 areas in the brain of male rabbits. Forty male rabbits weighting 2200-2500 g were divided into 4 groups. The electrical activity of motor, somato–sensory, occipital, and auditory ...

Catha edulis (khat) is a plant grown commonly in the horn of Africa. The leaves of khat are chewed by the people for its stimulant action. Its young buds and tender leaves are chewed to attain a state of euphoria and stimulation. Khat is an evergreen shrub, which is cultivated as a bush or small tree. The leaves have an aromatic odor. The taste is astringent and slightly sweet. The plant is see...