Background: Biomass fuel smoke is a leading cause of indoor air pollution. It is a known risk factor for respiratory diseases. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors among women exposed to biomass fuel smoke in Sri Lanka.Methods: Women (n=600) were assessed using questionnaires to determine base line data, cooking fuel use, respiratory symptoms (MRC respiratory symptoms questionnaire) and diagnosed respiratory diseases. Kitchen characteristics were determined by direct observation. Sample frequencies were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the associations. Results: Majority (64.1%) were biomass fuel users. Their mean age was 47 years ±14 SD. Majority 99.2% were never smokers. Prevalence of cough, phlegm, cough and phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness and diagnosed asthma was 14%, 16%, 9.9%, 22%, 22.3%, and 6.3% respectively. Use of biomass fuel was related to any respiratory symptom (OR=1.9; p<0.05), cough (OR=1.9; p<0.05), phlegm (OR=2.0; p<0.05), cough and phlegm (OR=2.7; p<0.05), wheezing (OR=2.0; p<0.05) and breathlessness (OR=2.0; p<0.05). Use of biomass fuel in an outdoor kitchen was associated with cough (OR=2.8, p<0.05), phlegm (OR=4.6, p<0.05), cough and phlegm (OR=3.1, p<0.05) and breathlessness (OR=2.1, p<0.05). Use of biomass fuel in a kitchen with neither chimney nor windows was associated with phlegm (OR=2.9, p<0.05) and cough and phlegm (OR=3.0, p<0.05).Conclusions: Use of biomass fuel for cooking in an outdoor kitchen and in a kitchen with neither chimney nor windows were positively associated with respiratory symptoms in non-pregnant women exposed to biomass fuel smoke in Sri Lanka.
Objective: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume is claimed in Sri Lankan traditional medicine as a diuretic. Diuretics that are in current use possess serious adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for discovering efficacious and safe diuretics possibly from natural sources. Hence, the study was carried out to scientifically evaluate the diuretic potential of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume in vivo.
Methods:Wistar albino rats weighing 180-270 g of either sex were divided into five groups containing six subjects in each. All were starved for 18 h and hydrated subsequently with oral sodium chloride solution (0.9%). Group, I (control) received normal saline (15 ml per animal orally). Group II, III, and IV received different doses (1500, 2250, 3000 mg/kg) of freeze-dried hot water extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume orally. Group V; (standard) received furosemide (13 mg/kg). Rats were placed individually in metabolic cages. Cumulative urine outputs at hourly intervals for six hours, urinary Na + , K + , Cl -, HCO3 -Results: A strong dose-dependent diuretic activity with a rapid onset of action, rapid peak diuresis and short duration of action was observed compared to furosemide. The diuretic action was accompanied with a significant (p<0.05) increase in urinary Na , specific gravity, pH and total dissolved solids were determined. + , HCO3and pH and decrease in urinary H +
Conclusion:The results indicated that hot water extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume possesses marked diuretic action compared to furosemide. This is mediated primarily via loop diuretic mechanism similar to furosemide and partly by carbonic anhydrase inhibitory action..
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