Teratogenic effects of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) in rat embryos and fetuses.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a plant chewed habitually by people in different parts
of Ethiopia. It is also commonly chewed in other East African countries and Southern Arabia to
attain a state of euphoria and stimulation. There are several reports in the literature concerning its
toxic effects on different aspects of health but the teratogenic effects of Khat after exposure
during pregnancy have not been elucidated.
Objective: The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the teratogenic effects of Khat in
Albino Wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: Three experimental and two control groups were included in the study.
Pregnant Albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups to
minimize the effects of subjective bias when allocating animals. The 80% methanolic extract of
Khat at doses of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 750mg/kg were orally administered to pregnant
albino wistar rats from day 6 through day 12 of gestation. Fetuses and embryos were recovered
on gestational day-20 or day-12, respectively, and were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed
for developmental anomalies. Histopathological examination was carried out on the placentae
from the treatment and control groups.
Results: Results of the present study showed that Khat exposure during pregnancy had dose
dependent teratogenic effects in rat embryos and fetuses. Prenatal growth retardation such as
reduced fetal weight and crown-rump length were observed in near term fetuses of Khat treated
animals with the highest dose in excess of those in the pair-fed control and Ad libitum
group(p<0.05). Growth retardation and developmental anomalies were also observed in day-12
embryos of Khat treated rats. Maternal weight gain of Khat treated group was also significantly
lower than the control group. In addition cytolysis, decidual hypoplasia and atrophy were
observed under microscopic examinations of placenta of Khat treated rats. However in this
study, offspring of Khat treated pregnant rats did not show gross external malformations.
Conclusions: The findings of the present study revealed that exposure of rats to high dose of
crude Khat extract during pregnancy could have teratogenic effects on the rat embryos. Exposure
to higher dose of Khat extract (750mg/kg) during pregnancy resulted in decreased maternal
weight gain and prenatal growth retardation in albino wistar rats.
Description
Keywords
Catha edulis, teratogenecity, khat, fetuses, embryo, gestation