Effect of catha edulis [khat] on the level of serum uric acid in healthy Yemeni male adults

Effect of catha edulis [khat] on the level of serum uric acid was studied in eighteen healthy Yemeni male adults. Their serum uric acid concentration was determined immediately after lunch and two hours after they have started to chew khat. The level of serum uric acid was consistently lower after chewing khat in all cases and the differences were statistically significant p-value < 0.05. No significant difference was found in the control groups. Therefore, chewing khat has resulted in lowering of the concentration of serum uric acid. Speculation on how khat could bring about this effect is discussed, and implications on proper diagnosis of relevant ailments have been highlighted