EFFECTS OF CRUDE EXTRACT OF KHAT (CATHA EDULIS) ON LIVER FUNCTION IN RATS

Introduction: Khat is chewed traditionally in Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and Kenya. In Ethiopia, khat chewing is now becoming an every-day substance of abuse for the general population regardless of its adverse effects on human health. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of crude extract of khat fresh leaves and soft twigs on liver function in rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (N = 35) aged between 14 to 16 weeks were randomly allocated into five groups of 7 animals each. Rats in group I were given 1mL of distilled water, and served as control. Rats in group II, III and VI were treated with crude extract of 150, 250, 350 and 450 mg/kg doses of khat respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and serum level of liver enzymes, total protein and bilirubin were determined. Results: Serum level of AST, ALT and ALP were significantly elevated while the total protein was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The total and direct bilirubin were also significantly elevated (P < 0.05), except in rats treated with 150 mg/kg dose of khat. Increase in dose of crude extract of khat has shown strong linear relationship with the serum level of the liver function biomarkers. Conclusions: Crude extract of khat fresh leaves and soft twigs had toxic effects on the liver in rats as evidenced by alterations in biochemical indices of liver function which was dose related