Psychoactive Plants

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Psychoactive Plants

• Stimulants - III Other Stimulants

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Stimulants

• Cocaine
• Ephedrine
• Nicotine
• Khat - cathonine
• Betel nuts - arecoline
• Caffeine

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Khat

• Khat is a natural stimulant from Catha Edulis, a
  small tree or large shrub which grows in East
  Africa and Arabian Peninsula
• Long history of use of - fresh leaves and shoot
  tips of this plant have been chewed or brewed as
  a tea to produce stimulating properties

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History of Khat

• Khat use predates the use of coffee in the region
• Khat was been cultivated in East Africa since the
  early 1300s
• During the 20th century some of the countries in
  region have officially banned its use - but
  seldom enforced
• Recently a lot of publicity about khat use in
  Somalia where it seems to be epidemic

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Khat use in Middle East

• Khat use has traditionally been confined to the
  regions where khat is grown, since only the fresh
  leaves have stimulating properties
• Recently improved roads and the use of off-road
  vehicles in areas of cultivation and the
  possibility of air transportation has increased
  the global distribution of khat, which is a
  non-storable commodity - has to be fresh
• Khat is now available in most major cities

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Alkaloids

• Khat contain cathinone and cathine, two
  phenylisopropylamine alkaloids which resemble
  amphetamine
• Khat consumption induces mild euphoria and
  excitement, reduces appetite, increases heart
  rate and blood pressure
• Withdrawal symptoms can follow prolonged khat use
  include lethargy, depression, nightmares and
  tremor

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Cathinone

• Main psychoactive alkaloid in khat
• Produces amphetamine-like action - effects not
  distinguishable from amphetamine - a naturally
  occurring amphetamine - carbonyl group replaces
  methylene side chain
• Drug conditioned animals cannot distinguish
  cathinone from amphetamines
• Functions by releasing catecholamines (dopamine)
  from presynaptic storage sites in CNS

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Cathinone and Cathine

• Cathinone only present in fresh leaves
• Degrades within about 48 hours
• After this time only cathine left
• Cathine also a stimulant but has a lower
  potential for abuse

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Betel Nuts

• Betel nuts from the betel palm Areca catechu
• As a stimulant it is used by more people in the
  world than any other single plant - widely used
  in India, Thailand, Indonesia and other Asian
  countries

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Traditional Use

• Long history of use in Asia - recorded in 4th
  century in China
• Traditionally chewed
• Crushed betel nuts (from the betel palm) wrapped
  in pieces of betel leaf from the betel vine,
  Piper betel (in the pepper family - Piperaceae)
  along with lime and sometimes other flavorings
• Lime (CaCO3) needed to release alkaloid

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Arecoline

• Many active ingredient in betel nuts is the
  alkaloid arecoline - although betel nuts have
  several other alkaloids
• Arecoline has also been shown to improve learning
  and memory
• Also traditional use for intestinal worms
• Used as an antihelminthic in veternary medicine
  today

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Mode of Action

• Not completely understood because of complex
  interactions with other plants
• Betel chewing increases plasma concentrations of
  norepinephrine and epinephrine
• Suggest that betel chewing mainly affects the
  central and autonomic nervous systems

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Other actions

• Evidence suggests also an inhibitor of GABA
  (gamma aminobutryc acid) uptake.
• Also Piper betel leaf contains aromatic phenolic
  compounds which have been found to stimulate the
  release of catecholamines in vitro

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Arecoline

• Lime needed to release arecoline
• However some chew it only for flavor not
  stimulating effect
• Also mixed with tobacco
• Strongly interacts with tobacco

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Stains mouth

• Regular betel chewing stains teeth, mouth, and
  gums a deep red - although not permanent
• Bloody Mary in South Pacific????

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Possible Carcinogen

• Betel chewing associated with throat, mouth, and
  esophagal cancers
• 88 percent of oral cancer patients in the Taiwan
  area habitually chew betel nut
• Risk of oral cancer is 28X higher for betel nut
  chewers and the risk is 89X higher for people
  who both chew betel nuts and smoke

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Spread of Chewing

• Increase in use of betel chewing in many part of
  Asia
• Initially used by laborers
• Spreading to cities as a recreational drug

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Coffee and Caffeine

• Made from seeds of Coffea arabica
• Seeds occur in coffee berries (cherries)
• Fruit pulp is fermented to free seeds
• Roasting and grinding bring out essential oils
• Caffeine and essential oils contribute to
  properties and flavor

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Flowers and berries of Coffea arabica
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Coffea arabica cherries ready for picking
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Coffee cherries are picked by hand by worker in
Columbia
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Coffea arabica native to Ethiopia
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History of coffee drinking

• Long history of use in Arab world
• Introduced to Europe in 1615
• By 1700 coffee houses popular throughout Europe
• Especially popular in England - often called
  penny universities and seminaries of sedition

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Coffea arabica Plantations

• Dutch established plantations in East Indies late
  in 17th century
• Trees taken to Botanical Gardens in Amsterdam and
  Paris
• From here plantations started on Caribbean
  islands and S.A. early in 18th century
• Today Brazil and Columbia are worlds leading
  producers

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Caffeine

• Caffeine occurs naturally in the leaves, seeds or
  fruit of more than 60 plant species, of which
  coffee, cocoa-beans, tea, cola and guarana are
  the best known
• Like other stimulates, caffeine acts on CNS -
  noradrenergic receptors (norepinephrine)
• Promotes alertness and endurance
• Constricts blood vessels
• Increase heart beat

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Caffeine Content of Common Products

• Drip coffee.....115 mg
• Tea..................40 mg
• Cocoa..............13 mg
• Coca Cola........46 mg
• Diet Coke.........46 mg
• Dr. Pepper........40 mg
• Mr. Pibb............41 mg
• Mt. Dew............54 mg

• Pepsi...............38 mg
• Surge...............51 mg
• Jolt Cola...........71 mg
• Excedrin...........65 mg
• Anacin..............32 mg
• NoDoz............100 mg
• Vivarin............200 mg
• Midol...............600 mg