Evaluation of genotoxic potential of khat (Catha edulis) in Swiss albino mice.

Genotoxicity of the methanolic extract of khat (Catha edulis) has been evaluated on the male germ cells using the dominant lethal assay procedure in Swiss albino mice. The extract was administered at a dose of 500 mg/kg orally once daily, for five days. Following this sub-acute dose regimen, the effect of khat was studied during the different stages of spermatogenic cycle on the rate of pregnancy and post-implantation losses. Khat reduced the percent pregnancy rates and increased the mean post-implantation losses in the treated group. The increase was found to be statistically significant in the post-meiotic stages.