Evaluations of the Effect of Subchronic Administration of Crude Khat Extract (Catha Edulis F.) on Learning and Memory in Mice
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Date
2014-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Learning may be defined as the ability to alter behavior based on experience. If there is no
learning, there can be no memory later. Memory is the ability of an individual to record sensory
stimuli; events, information, etc. and retain them over short or long periods and recall the same
later when needed. People chew khat believing that it improves memory, make them alert and
think clearly. This study was made to add to the existing body of knowledge about khat and
memory. To this effect, 36 albino mice, 6-8 weeks old, were administered orally with a single
daily dose of khat extract for 30 days. The animals were divided into four groups. The first group
served as controls and was administered with 0.5 ml 3% Tween 80 in water. Group two (K100),
three (K200) and four (K300) were administered 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg khat extract,
respectively. The animals were then subjected to Multiple T maze (MTM) and Morris water
maze (MWM) task performance. The result showed that subchronic administration of crude khat
extract at doses used did not have a significant effect on learning using the two models. K200
(p< 0.01) and K300 (p< 0.001) significantly impaired short-term memory in both models, while
K100 impaired STM in MWM but not in MTM. Khat at all doses used did not have any
significant effect on long-term memory using both models. Crude khat extract administration
also had initially anorexic effect but this was followed by development of tolerance. The results
collectively showed that subchronic exposure of mice to khat could alter formation of short-term
memory, without affecting learning and long-term memory.
II
Key Words: Catha edulis, learning, memory, short-term memory, long-term memory, Morris
water maze task, Multiple T maze task.
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Keywords
Catha edulis; learning; memory; short-term memory; long-term memory; Morris water maze task; Multiple T maze task