Decreased antioxidants in the saliva of Khat chewers

Objective

Khat is a plant of the Celastraceae family that is chewed for several hours/day in Yemen and most of the East African countries. Cathinone and cathine are the main Khat components and are structurally and functionally related to amphetamine. The present study has been designed to assess levels of antioxidants in the saliva of Khat chewers.

Methods

Saliva samples of 50 volunteers were collected from Khat-chewers and non Khat-chewers, 25 samples each. Saliva samples were collected and used for measurments of salivary antioxidant system including; catalase, total and protein thiols, glutathione and uric acid (UA). Moreover, activity of α-amylase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and levels of total protein, glucose, and cholesterol were also measured.

Results

The activities and levels of antioxidants were significantly decreased in Khat-chewing group as compared to controls (p < 0.001), except the level of UA which was significantly increased. Khat has also been found to have a lowering effect on the activity of salivary amylase and glucose level (p < 0.001). However, the levels of salivary LDH, total protein, and cholesterol were significantly increased in the saliva of Khat chewers (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Present data suggest that Khat chewing generates free radicals and reactive oxygen species to a level that antioxidants cannot cope with, thus overwhelming the antioxidant system capacity.