Hawthorn

The present work demonstrates the effects of moist cold stratification on seed dormancy breaking in Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.). We also examined the fruit and seed morphology. Mature and ripe fruits were collected, the pulp removed and the seeds (stones) left in the sun to dry for three days. Four temperature regimes viz. 4°C, 6.5°C (natural conditions where the fruits were harvested), 10°C and 20°C were used for stimulating seed germination under total darkness. For each treatment, there were four replicates with 50 seeds incubated in a plastic container between two layers of moist sand at 15%. At the end of the experiment, non-germinating seeds were tested for viability using Tetrazolium chloride (TZ). After 4 months, the final germination (FGP) was expressed as a percentage of the total number of seeds in each treatment. The fruits of Hawthorn were 14.9 ± 0.73 mm long and 15.1 ± 0.84 mm in diameter and weigh 2.05 ± 0.28 g. The seeds were 8.29 ± 0.43 mm long and 6.75 ± 0.39 mm in diameter and weigh (0.25 ± 0.04) g. The thousand-fruit weight was 2,000 g and of the thousand-seeds weight was 280 g. The statistical analysis indicated significant effect (p < 0.0001) of treatment on seed germination. Dormancy in this species was broken most effectively by cold stratification at 4°C and under natural conditions with 76% and 67.5% of FGP, respectively. Most of the nongerminated seeds of C. monogyna were viable (dormant) as judged by TZ.

Представленное клиническое наблюдение демонстрирует особенности токсического эффекта спиртовой настойки боярышника у 40-летнего мужчины после употребления нескольких флаконов препарата. У больного наблюдались выраженные нарушения со стороны сердечно-сосудистой системы, проявившиеся артериальной гипотонией, анурией и брадикардией. После проведенной в стационаре комплексной дезинтоксикационной терапии состояние больного улучшилось, стабилизировались параметры гемодинамики. Клиническое наблюдение иллюстрирует возможность тяжелого угнетения сердечно-сосудистой системы при употреблении спиртосодержащих продуктов боярышника.
The presented case demonstrates features of toxic effects of an alcoholic tincture of the hawthorn in 40-year-old male after consumption of several bottles with the drug. There were severe alterations of cardiovascular system manifesting by arterial hypotension, anuria, and bradycardia. The patient's condition improved and hemodynamic parameters stabilized after the complex detoxication therapy. Clinical observation evidences possibility of severe depression of cardiovascular system after consumption alcohol-containing hawthorn medications.