RESUMO
The aim of the study was to examine the effect of khat on parkinsonian movements induced by a dopamine antagonist chlorpromazine and the effect on some biochemical parameters in rabbits, since chlorpromazine blocks dopamine receptors while khat is known to release catecholamines specially dopamine. Rabbits were divided into five groups. The first group as a control, the second group received only diazepam, the third group received only chlorpromazine, the fourth group received khat orally for three weeks and then injected with diazepam; the fifth and last group received khat orally for three weeks and then injected with chlorpromazine. Parkinsonian-like movements: bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor were observed in all groups. Serum triglyceride and fasting blood sugar were measured as indicators for sympathetic activity. Khat has shown to aggravate Parkinsonian movements induced by chlorpromazine. Diazepam administered to a khat-fed rabbits produced Parkinsonian movements lesser than the group that received chlorpromazine and khat. The serum triglyceride and fasting blood sugar were also measured, and the khat-fed rabbits showed lower levels of serum triglyceride and higher leve1s of fasting blood sugar comparing to the khat-free groups