Evaluation of teratogenic potential of khat (Catha edulis Forsk.) in rats

The embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of khat (Catha edulis Forsk.), a plant chewed by the people of Eastern Africa and Southern Arabia to attain a state of euphoria and stimulation, was studied in Wistar rats. Methanolic extract of khat was administered orally by gavage to rats during days from 6 to 15 of gestation at doses of 0, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg. body weight/day. Khat reduced the food consumption and maternal weight gain and also lowered the food efficiency index, as compared to control mothers. On day 20 of gestation, all dams were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, cesarean sections were performed and maternal and fetal toxicities were assessed. The administration of khat had no effect on fetal sex ratio. However, at a dose of 125 mg/kg body weight and above, it produced a significant increase in resorptions and fetal wastage. Khat administration in utero also reduced the litter size and caused intrauterine growth retardation. External, visceral and skeletal examination of the fetus of treated dams showed several types of malformations and variations in all the groups of animals. However, a consistent tendency of abnormalities was observed in the highest dosed (500 mg/kg) group. The data of the present study revealed that khat retarded fetal growth and induced terata. The present observations indicate that khat possesses both embryotoxic as well as teratogenic properties. The developmental toxicities of khat are dose-related.