Polyphenols play a key role in antioxidant activity of plants since many researchers report that phenolics of plants provide substantial antioxidant activity. In this context, the total amount of phenolics and flavonoids in Catha edulis were quantified. To study the total antioxidant activity of C. edulis, Vitamin C Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (VCEAC) was evaluated. Furthermore, to confirm the antioxidant activity of C. edulis under biological medium, the cellular test using Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH) sensor of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was employed. High total antioxidant activity of C. edulis was found, since on the one hand 1 g of dry C. edulis leaves can provide antioxidants equivalent to 71.82 ± 3.25 mg of vitamin C; and on the other hand, the cellular test of antioxidant activity reveals that C. edulis possesses scavenger capacity for ROS.
Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is an evergreen shrub of the family Celastraceae, which is grown in certain regions of East Africa and the Arabian peninsula, its fresh leaves are widely chewed by a large number of people living in that region for their stimulating and euphoric effects. Khat leaves contain a variety of substances, including tannins, flavonoids (Kalix and Braenden, 1985) and especially phenylalkylamine compounds (alkaloids) (Kalix, 1992). Chewing is a widespread habit that has a deep-rooted sociocultural tradition in Africa and the Middle East. Because of its widespread consumption, the growing of this plant has become an important economic activity in many of these countries.
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