Assessment of the Effects of Khat Extract on the Hypouricemic Activities of Allopurinol in Rats

Background: Hyperuricemia is an important metabolic condition that is closely associated with gout and cardiovascular disorders. The first-line treatment is still allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, but little is known about how it interacts with herbal substances. Khat (Catha edulis), which is traditionally consumed in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, has recently spread throughout the world because of migration. The purpose of this study was to assess how khat extract affects the hypouricemic action of allopurinol in hyperuricemia rats.
Methods: Forty-eight male albino rats were randomly divided into six groups and given different amounts of allopurinol, khat extract, yeast extract and potassium oxonate. Biochemical investigations included serum and urine analyses for uric acid levels, xanthine oxidase activity, kidney and liver function tests, urine profile, and complete blood count. Histopathological examinations of renal and hepatic tissues were also conducted.
Results: Khat extract significantly elevated the serum uric acid level and xanthine oxidase activity. Moreover, its combination with allopurinol reduced the drug’s hypouricemic efficacy. Coadministration also induced more pronounced alterations in renal and hepatic function parameters, together with histopathological evidence of tissue injury.
Conclusion: Khat extract reduced the therapeutic effectiveness of allopurinol and aggravated both biochemical abnormalities and histological damage under hyperuricemia conditions. These outcomes, based on an animal model, point to a possible interaction between khat and allopurinol and emphasize the need for further investigation in humans.