Toxicological Effect of Khat (Catha edulis) in Male Reproductive System

Abstract

In this project paper, databases such as Pubmed, Medline, Hinary and Google search, were systematically searched for literature on the different aspects of Catha edulis (Khat) to synthesize, review, and present various research publications on the toxicology to document the effect of khat consumption on the histology and function of male reproductive system. The euphoric effects have been demonstrated to arise from the main constituent, (-)-S cathinone. Detailed studies on the effects of khat on reproduction are lacking. However, the limited available data reveal that chewing of khat has a negative impact on human reproductive health. The effect of khat increased, as exposure of khat and time of exposure increased. Several studies revealed that experimental animals treated with the higher dose of khat show histopathological alterations in both, the seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues with decreased semen quality, sperm concentration, level of testosterone and exhibited sign of pyknosis in some nuclei of spermatogonia, degeneration of primary spermatocytes and hypoplasia of interstitial tissue, many seminiferous tubules were severely damaged. In chronic chewers, sperm count, sperm volume and sperm motility were decreased; in addition to this, deformed spermatozoa have been found in daily khat users, with different patterns including head and flagella malformations in complete spermatozoa, flagellate heads, headless flagella, and multiple heads and flagella.

Keywords: Khat, flagella cathinone, Catha edulis, impotence, testosterone, spermatogenesis, libido

Cite this Article

Adhanom Gebreslassie Berhe. Toxicological Effect of Khat (Catha edulis) in Male Reproductive System. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology. 2016; 6(3): 13–18p.