Sub-acute toxicity studies of Catha edulis [Khat]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of [Catha edulis on some biochemical parameters on short and long-term basis. Fresh Khat in a dose of 20 grams/kilogram, was given to three groups of rabbits [nine each], for one, two, and three weeks, and a fourth group was left as a control, and in another trial fresh Khat was given in three doses 20, 30 and 40 gram/kilogram to three groups of rabbits [six each], for six months, and a fourth group was left as a control. The results were as follows: fasting blood sugar [FBS], triglyceride [TG], GOT, and GPT were increased in both trials. The CBC which was measured only in the second trial showed that Khat lowered hemoglobin, WBCs, and lymphocytes while it increased neutrophils. The Khat treated groups showed lowered body weights in the second [six months] trial. The heart weight relative to the body weight was increased in the first trial, while this result was not seen in the second trial