The physiological and perceptual effects of plant extracts (Catha Edulis Forsk) during sustained exercise

Prevalence and associated factors of sleep deprivation among Haramaya University students, Ethiopia, 2021: cross-sectional study

Background

Sleep deprivation is the lack of sleep that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular illness, diabetes, obesity, cognitive impairment, vehicle accidents, and workplace accidents, as well as being a direct source of daily dysfunction. Despite the fact that some studies have been undertaken, there is a shortage of data on the incidence of sleep deprivation and associated factors among university students in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, where the study area is located. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of sleep deprivation and its associated factors among Haramaya University students in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was employed among Haramaya University students. A total of 624 students participated in this study. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants. A pretested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Using Epi Data Version 3.1, the data was checked, coded, entered, and cleaned before being exported to SPSS Version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken. For statistical significance, P ≤ 0.001 was used as the cutoff point.

Results

In this study, 586 study participants were participated, with a response rate of 96.2%. Among participants, the majority of 324(55.3%) were males, and the majority of 311(53.1%) were in the age range of 17–20 years with a median age of 19. Most of the study participants were single 561(95.7%). The overall prevalence of sleep deprivation was 68.4% (95% CI: 64.8–72.4). Coffee/tea drinkers (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI:1.17–6.86), Khat chewers (AOR = 2.33, 95%CI: 1.20–4.50), participants with stress (AOR = 3.49,95% CI: 1.22–9.95), participants exposed to moderate stage of anxiety (AOR = 2.87,95% CI:1.14–7.18), and being in the third and fourth study years (AOR = 0.33,95% CI:0.13–0.85) were significantly associated factors with sleep deprivation.

Conclusion

The prevalence of sleep deprivation was found to be high in this study. Coffee/tea users, khat chewers, being stressed, exposed to moderate levels of anxiety, and being in the third and fourth study years were all found to be significantly associated with sleep deprivation.

Abuse Potential of Cathinones in Humans: A Systematic Review

Introduction and objective: Assessing the abuse potential of new substances with central nervous system activity is essential for preventing possible risks of misuse and addiction. The same methodology is recommended for the evaluation of the abuse potential of recreational drugs. This systematic review aims to assess the pharmacological effects related to the abuse potential and pharmacokinetics of cathinones, which are evaluated in both experimental and prospective observational studies in humans. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of the published literature was conducted to retrieve studies that had administered cathinone, mephedrone, methylone, and diethylpropion to evaluate their acute pharmacological effects related to abuse potential. Results: The search yielded 583 results, 18 of which were included to assess the abuse potential of cathinone (n = 5), mephedrone (n = 7), methylone (n = 1), and diethylpropion (n = 5). All four substances induce stimulant and euphorigenic effects that resemble those of amphetamines and MDMA, and their different intensities may be associated with varying levels of abuse potential. Conclusions: Cathinone, mephedrone, methylone, and diethylpropion induce a range of desirable and reinforcing effects that may, to some extent, result in abuse potential. Further investigation is needed to minimize and prevent their impact on society and public health.

The Impact of Khat (Catha edulis) on Hemodynamics of the Common Carotid Arteries in Regular Khat Chewers: A Case-control Study Using Doppler Ultrasound

Background:

To evaluate the effect of chewing khat on the hemodynamics of the common carotid arteries (CCAs) using Doppler ultrasound imaging.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional case–control study. Fifty volunteers who were chronic regular khat chewers were selected and compared with healthy nonkhat chewers. They were examined using Doppler imaging with a 7–10 MHz linear transducer. The resistivity index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end-diastolic velocity of the CCAs were determined according to the standard protocol of carotid Doppler ultrasound.

Results:

The RI and PI of the right and left CCAs were significantly higher in khat chewers compared to controls (P < 0.001). The PSV of the right and left CCAs was considerably higher in khat chewers compared to controls (P < 0.001 and 0.04, respectively).

Conclusion:

The Doppler values of blood flow velocity, resistivity, and pulsatility were significantly higher in chronic regular khat chewers compared to nonkhat chewers. Khat is a significant contributory factor for increasing the hemodynamics of the CCAs.

Evaluation of Khat (Catha edulis) Use as a Risk Factor of Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background:

Conducting systematic review to evaluate plant use as a risk factor to cancer could be challenging. A systematic and well-balanced method should be applied to accommodate in vivo and in vitro studies to make a final decision. In this article, khat, a recreational plant used in some Arabic and African regions, was employed as an example to systematically determine its relationships to the premalignant and cancerous conditions.

Methods:

Systematic database search was performed to recruit original human, animal or in vitro studies on khat and cancer. Sixteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and subjected to assessment using Risk of Bias (RoB). Office of Health and Translation (OHAT) approach was used to rate the confidence level in the body of evidence. The evidence was integrated to establish the relationships between khat, premalignant conditions and cancer.

Results:

Seven out of eight studies showed that khat causes premalignant oral lesions with moderate evidence level. Four studies showed that khat causes cancer with low evidence level and another three studies showed that khat has anti-cancer effect with moderate to high evidence level. Only one study suggested that khat is unrelated to cancer.

Conclusion:

RoB and OHAT approach are reliable systematic tools to evaluate plant risk to cancer and provide objective and uniform summary regardless of the study type. In conclusion, our pooled analysis did not find a direct relationship between khat and cancer but anti-cancer effect would require to be proofed on human studies.

Association of Chronic Khat Chewing with Blood Pressure and Predictors of Hypertension Among Adults in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Comparative Study

Purpose

The leaves of the Khat plant contain amphetamine-like compounds which are implicated in the development of hypertension. The increase in blood pressure coincides with the plasma cathinone level. Other factors associated with hypertension are being overweight, obesity, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and stress. Thus, this study assessed the association of chronic khat chewing with hypertension and other factors associated with hypertension.

Patients and Methods

Acommunity based comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken from October 5, 2018 to February 15, 2019 in Gurage zone, southern Ethiopia. A total of 1200 adults (600 chewers and 600 non-chewers) aged 18 − 65 years were selected using a convenience sampling method. The data was collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire plus physical measurements and were carried out at a fixed time of the day in the morning (7: 00 am–10:00 am). Linear regression and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the determinant factors of blood pressure. The test of statistically significant association was declared by using 95% CI and p-value less than 0.05.

Results

A total of 1198 adults participated in the study giving a response rate of 99.8%. The mean age of Khat chewers were 34 (± 11.27) and non-chewers were 34.73 (± 11.48) years. The mean values of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were higher in chewers than in non-chewers (p < 0.001). The prevalence of diastolic blood pressure > 80mmHg was significantly higher among Khat chewers than in non-chewers (17.4% versus 8.7%, p < 0.001). The duration of Khat chewing was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (Beta coefficient = 0.83, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (Beta coefficient = 0.51, p < 0.001). The sex, age, BMI and alcohol were significantly associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusion

Chronic Khat chewing, male sex, BMI and alcohol were associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. To assess the cause and effect relationship between chronic Khat chewing and hypertension further studies with better defined cohorts and basic science studies need to be undertaken.