Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat): Evaluation of its Antidepressant-like Activity.

BACKGROUND: Catha edulis Forsk. (Khat) is traditionally used for treating various disorders. Nevertheless there are no reports of any scientific assessment of its psychopharmacological properties. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of Khat ethanolic extract using established animal models of depression and stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety healthy male albino mice were used in this study. Forced swim, tail suspension and head poking tests were utilized to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of the ethanolic extract of Khat (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) and escitalopram (standard drug) which were administered 30 min prior to the tests. Phytochemical analysis of the standardized extract was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). RESULTS: A significant decrease in the head-dipping behavior was noticed after administration of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Khat extract. Moreover, the extract significantly decreased the immobility time in tail suspension and forced swim tests. The presence of cathinone and cathine were detected in the extract using LC-MS. CONCLUSION: The current results suggest that the extract of Khat leaves has acute antidepressant properties and may have sedative effects. SUMMARY: Antidepressant-like activity of Khat established in vivoThe extract decreased the immobility time in tail suspension and forced swim testsLiquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy data revealed the presence of cathinone and cathine in Khat extract. Abbreviations used: LC-MS: Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy; NIST: National institute of standard technology; SSRI: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors; FST: Forced swim test; TST: Tail suspension test.