Genotoxic Effects of Catha edulis (Khat) Extract on Mice Bone Marrow Cells

Khat (Catha edulis) is a widespread habit that has a deeprooted sociocultural tradition in the Horn of Africa and southwestern of Arabian Peninsula causing many social and economic problems. The genotoxic effects of methanolic extract of Khat (Catha edulis) leaves were investigated. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in sister chromatid exchanges SCEs in all treatments. This increase was more at higher concentrations than those occurred in lower concentrations. Moreover, Khat induced various types of chromosomal aberrations in mice bone marrow cells. These aberrations include: broken, sticky and ring chromosomes and disturbed metaphase and anaphase. The percentages of these aberrations increased with the increase of both concentration and the exposure time. Other types of aberrations were also noticed but in very low frequencies.