Summary

 

Analytical methods (UV-spectroscopy, NMR, HPLC) for identification and quantitative determination of the CNS active phenylalkylamines from khat are presented. These pharmacological active compounds are:

 

Cathinone (CA, (-)-2-amino-l-phenyl-propane-l-one), (+)-norpseudoephedrine (NPE),

(-)-norephedrine (NE),

cinnamoyl-cathinone (4-amino-1-phenyl-1-pentene-3-one) and the

diastereomer merucathines

(threo-4-amino-3-hydroxy-1-phenyl-1-pentane and erythro-4-amino-3-hydroxy-1-phenyl-1-pentene).

 

Various plant material has been investigated: commercial drugs of different origin (Kenya, Yemen Arabic Republic, Madagascar) and various plant tissues in varying physiological stages.

 

The total content of the khatamines for commercial drugs varies depending on quality and origin between 1% (Madagascar, Yemen) to 5% (Kenya) relative to the dry weight.

In fresh tree-drugs of Kenyan origin the CA portion rises with increasing quality up to more than 70%. In air-dried plant material most of the CA has been found converted to NPE and NE.

 

The mutual ratios of the six phenylalkylamines can be used for a chemotaxonomic classification of different Catha varieties and of different commercial drug qualities.

 

With the help of the same methods we are able to distinguish between tree-drugs (Kenya) and shrub-drugs (Yemen, Madagascar).