Prunus domestica alters functions of frog's heart.

Prunes could exert cardiovascular protective effects. Trials have demonstrated antihypertensive effects of Prunus domestica. The aim of this study was to find out if prunes could alter cardiac functions that may help understanding the mode of control of hypertension. Changes in rate and contractile force of frogs' heart were recorded using Power Lab. Effects of prunes' extracts: aqueous (10, 20, 40%); methanolic, acetonic, ethanolic and chloformic (10%); were evaluated and compared with other drugs. We tested effects of acetylcholine and atropine (10-5), adrenaline, propranolol, verapamil and diltiazem (10-3); NaC1, KCl, CaC12, MgC12 (10% w/v) on frog's heart alone and with prunes/drugs. All extracts of prunes significantly reduced HR and contractile force. Prunes combined with acetylcholine, propranolol or verapamil significantly enhanced bradycardia; whereas it blocked tachycardia produced by epinephrine, atropine or calcium; moreover prunes blocked the significant increase in HR and cardiac contractility produced by CaCl2; and reduced HR along with MgC12. NaCl and KCl alone or with prunes had non-significant effects on frog's heart. In conclusion, Prunus domestica plays a key role in modification of intracellular Ca+2 concentration resulting in negative ionotropic and chronotropic effects (similar to cholinergic stimulation and adrenergic or calcium channel blockade) that could lead to hypotensive effects.

Frequency of hypovitaminosis D and its associated risk factors in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the frequency of hypovitaminosis D and its associated risk factors in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients prior to administration of standard anti tuberculosis therapy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases-DUHS. After approval from BASR and following written informed consent eighty newly diagnosed, as per WHO criteria, tuberculosis patients were enrolled. Prior to the initiation of anti tuberculosis therapy, the serum vitamin D level was determined by 25-OH Vitamin D kit using the chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) method. A cut off value of >30 ng/mL of serum vitamin D was taken as normal whereas a range between 10-30 ng/mL and <10 ng/mL were considered insufficient and deficient respectively. Frequency of socio-demographic associated risk factors of hypovitaminosis D was also determined. RESULTS: Out of eighty newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients 33 (41.25%) were males and 47(58.75%) were females with their ages ranging from 18-50 years. 54 patients (26 male and 28 female patients) were smokers. BMI of all the patients was found to be less than the normal ranges. Hypovitaminosis was present in all the cases. Vitamin D insufficiency was found in 49 participants (20 male and 29 female) whereas 31 patients (13 male and 18 female) were found to be vitamin D deficient. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of serum vitamin D level derangement is very high in newly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in our local setting which necessitates administration of adjuvant vitamin D along with standard anti tuberculosis therapy.