| Abstract No.: | C-D3157 |
| Country: | Kenya |
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| Title: | CATHA EDULIS POTENTIATES THE ANALGESIC EFFECT OF THE OPIOID ANALGSICS MORPHINE, CODEINE AND FENTANYL IN MICE |
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| Authors/Affiliations: | 1 Gilbert Mbeo*; 2 Petronella Mbeo; 1 Nilesh Patel;
1 University of Nairobi, School of Medicine; 2 University of Nairobi, School of Pharmacy, Nairobi
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| Content: | Background and Objective: Catha edulis, commonly known as khat, miraa or quat, is a shrub whose leaves and stem are widely chewed by persons of eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for its amphetamine-like effect. This effect is attributed to the presence of an alkaloid cathinone, which is structurally similar to amphetamine. One study compared the analgesic effect of Catha edulis to ibuprofen. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the analgesic effect of Catha edulis and to compare this analgesic effect to the opioid analgesics fentanyl, codeine and morphine in mice.
Methods: Male mice were divided into groups and each group tested with:
1) Normal saline (control)
2) “Fresh” Catha edulis crude extract: 4g/kg body weight
3) “Old" Catha edulis crude extract: 4g/kg body weight
4) Fresh Catha edulis with naloxone
5) Fentanyl citrate (0.4mg/kg) or codeine phosphate (0.5mg/kg) or morphine sulphate (200mg/kg)
6) Combination of fresh Catha edulis crude extract with fentanyl citrate, codeine phosphate or morphine sulphate.
Pain threshold was determined 20 minutes after treatment using an Ugo Basile Analgesimeter.
Results: Catha edulis extract, fentanyl, codeine and morphine produced significant analgesic effects. Fresh Catha edulis extract produced a greater analgesic effect than old Catha edulis extract. Administration of fresh Catha edulis extract with naloxone produced an insignificant analgesic effect. Combination of fentanyl, codeine and morphine with Catha edulis produced a significantly higher analgesic effect when compared to either agent given alone.
Conclusion: Catha edulis by itself has a significant analgesic effect. This effect is medicated by a compound which is present in smaller amounts in old Catha edulis and whose effects are blocked by naloxone. Combination of fresh Catha edulis extract with the opioid analgesics morphine, codeine and fentanyl results in a potentiation of their analgesic effects.
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