Evaluation of the Effect of Subchronic Administration of Crude Khat Extract (Catha Edulis F.) On Learning and Memoryin Mice

Mohammed, Faiz (2014) Evaluation of the Effect of Subchronic Administration of Crude Khat Extract (Catha Edulis F.) On Learning and Memoryin Mice. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Learning may be defined as the ability to alter behavior based on experience. If there is no learning, there can be no memory later. Memory is the ability of an individual to record sensory stimuli; events, information, etc. and retain them over short or long periods and recall the same later when needed. People chew khat believing that it improves memory, make them alert and think clearly. This study was made to add to the existing body of knowledge about khat and memory. To this effect, 36 albino mice, 6-8 weeks old, were administered orally with a single daily dose of khat extract for 30 days. The animals were divided into four groups. The first group served as controls and was administered with 0.5 ml 3% Tween 80 in water. Group two (K100), three (K200) and four (K300) were administered 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg khat extract, respectively. The animals were then subjected to Multiple T maze (MTM) and Morris water maze (MWM) task performance. The result showed that subchronic administration of crude khat extract at doses used did not have a significant effect on learning using the two models. K200 (p< 0.01) and K300 (p< 0.001) significantly impaired short-term memory in both models, while K100 impaired STM in MWM but not in MTM. Khat at all doses used did not have any significant effect on long-term memory using both models. Crude khat extract administration also had initially anorexic effect but this was followed by development of tolerance. The results collectively showed that subchronic exposure of mice to khat could alter formation of short-term memory, without affecting learning and long-term memory.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Catha edulis, learning, memory, short-term memory, long-term memory, Morris water maze task, Multiple T maze task.
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Vincent Mpoza
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2018 13:10
Last Modified:	30 Oct 2018 13:10
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/7144

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