Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
11:16
A Novel Procedure for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Tastants in Laboratory Rats: Operant Intraoral Self-administration
Published on: February 6, 2014
Validation of self-reported khat chewing amongst khat chewers: an exploratory study
Saba Kassim1, Aamenah Hawash, Atholl Johnston
1Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK. s.kassim@qmul.ac.uk
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
|January 17, 2012
Summary
Khat chewing dependency can be validated by measuring cathinone and related compounds in saliva. Higher biomarker levels significantly correlate with self-reported khat chewing dependency.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Khat chewing is prevalent in UK communities from Yemen and East Africa.
- The stimulant components of khat (cathinone, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine) may cause central nervous system dependency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate self-reported khat chewing behaviors.
- To quantify cathinone, norephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine levels in saliva.
- To investigate the association between these biomarkers and khat chewing dependency.
Main Methods:
- Interviews were conducted with 30 male khat chewers residing in the UK.
- Saliva samples were collected from participants.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure biomarker levels.
Main Results:
- Mean cathinone levels were 33.93 (±39.20) μg/mL.
- Mean norephedrine and norpseudoephedrine levels were 29.28 (±26.32) μg/mL.
- Significant associations (p≤0.05) were found between biomarker levels and khat chewing dependency.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported khat chewing can be validated through biomarker analysis.
- Salivary biomarker levels significantly correlate with khat chewing dependency.
- Further research and replication are recommended.
