THE EFFECT OF PHENYLPENTENYL-KHATAMINES ON THE RELEASE OF RADIOACTIVITY FROM RAT STRIATAL TISSUE PRELABELED WITH [H-3] DOPAMINE

The CNS-stimulating properties of leaves of the khat shrub (Catha edulis, Celastraceae) are presumed to be due mainly to (-)-cathinone, a phenylpropylamine alkaloid that has been shown to have an amphetamine-like releasing effect at physiological catecholamine storage sites. Recently, several phenylamine alkaloids have been identified in khat leaves, and these have been evaluated, in vitro, in the present study for their ability to induce release of radioactivity from [3H]dopamine-prelabelled rat striatal tissue. It was found that the phenylpentenylamines have a weak releasing effect, and are therefore considered unlikely to play an important role in the stimulating properties of khat leaves.