Effect of Catha edulis foresk (khat) extracts on male rat sexual behavior
Abstract
Khat chewing is a widespread habit that has a deep-rooted socio-cultural tradition in East Africa and in the Middle East. Although a number of investigations have been carried out using cathinone, the psychoactive component of khat, these may not wholly reflect the behavioral effects observed after administering khat in a dosage similar to those used traditionally. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sub-chronically administered khat extract with or without alcohol on sexual behavior in male rats. Adult albino wistar male rats were administered either with khat extracts (100, 200, 400mg/kg), amphetamine (1mg/kg), sildenafil (1mg/kg), ethanol (2ml/kg of 2% and 10%), or a combination of khat and ethanol (2%+10%) by intragastric gavage orally for 15 days. Khat (400mg/kg) treated rats demonstrated a statistically significant increase in all sexual parameters except in mounting frequency, intercopulatory interval and copulatory efficiency. Whereas, khat (200mg/kg) treated rats showed a statistically significant increase only in ejaculation latency (P<0.01). In marked contrast, low dose (100mg/kg) of khat extract was found to significantly reduce both mount latency (P<0.05) and intromission latency P<0.01) thereby enhancing sexual motivation/arousal in male rats. Similar results were obtained when khat extract (200mg/kg) and ethanol (10%) were administered concomitantly despite the inhibitory effect observed in male sexual behavior when administered alone.…
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