Myristicin-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)

“…The apoptosis triggered by myristicin was accompanied by an accumulation of cytochrome c and by the activation of caspase-3. The results obtained suggest that myristicin induces cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by an apoptotic mechanism (Lee et al, 2005).…”

<b>Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans</b>

“…Myristicin is toxic when ingested in large amounts, and it is liable to cause fatty degeneration of the liver (Anonymous, 1995;Beyer et al, 2006). Lee et al (2005) have reported that myristicin (1-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene), a naturally occurring allylbenzene found in nutmeg induces cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by an apoptotic mechanism. Trimyristin shows anxiogenic activity (Sonavane et al, 2002).…”

“…In an experimental study, Tajuddin et al (2005) have found that the oral administration of 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg at 500 mg/kg body weight produces a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats without any conspicuous adverse effects, which might be attributed to its nerve stimulating property. Lee et al (2005) have reported that myristicin (1-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene), a naturally occurring alkyl benzene derivative found in nutmeg induces cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by an apoptotic mechanism. It was observed that a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability occurred at myristicin concentration > or =0.5 mM in SK-N-SH cells.…”

Medicinal Potentials and Toxicity Concerns of Bioactive Principles

“…In same manner of chemical diversity, most effective poisonous agents to humans and animals have their origin from various classes of chemical substances from plants. Some notable noxious compounds from plants are the cyanogenic glycosides [9,10], myristicin [11], phytohaemagglutinins or lectin [12], neurotoxic amino acids e.g. N-oxalyi-L-α, β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) [13,14], protease inhibitors, chlorogenic acid, amylase inhibitors, gossypol, goitrogens [12,14], veratridines [15] etc.…”