Nutmegs and wild nutmegs: An update on ethnomedicines, phytochemicals, pharmacology, and toxicity of the Myristicaceae species

Abstract

Prized medicinal spice true nutmeg is obtained from Myristica fragrans Houtt. Rest species of the family Myristicaceae are known as wild nutmegs. Nutmegs and wild nutmegs are a rich reservoir of bioactive molecules and used in traditional medicines of Europe, Asia, Africa, America against madness, convulsion, cancer, skin infection, malaria, diarrhea, rheumatism, asthma, cough, cold, as stimulant, tonics, and psychotomimetic agents. Nutmegs are cultivated around the tropics for high‐value commercial spice, used in global cuisine. A thorough literature survey of peer‐reviewed publications, scientific online databases, authentic webpages, and regulatory guidelines found major phytochemicals namely, terpenes, fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, alkanes, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, and indole alkaloids. Scientific names, synonyms were verified with http://www.theplantlist.org. Pharmacological evaluation of extracts and isolated biomarkers showed cholinesterase inhibitory, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal activities, and toxicity through in‐vitro, in‐vivo studies. Human clinical trials were very few. Most of the pharmacological studies were not conducted as per current guidelines of natural products to ensure repeatability, safety, and translational use in human therapeutics. Rigorous pharmacological evaluation and randomized double‐blind clinical trials are recommended to analyze the efficacy and therapeutic potential of nutmeg and wild nutmegs in anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, autism, schizophrenia, stroke, cancer, and others.

About Hallucinogenic Nut in Our Kitchen

“…Ještě koncem minulého století se udávalo, že jeho údajné halucinogenní a psychoaktivní vlastnosti, jiné než slabě sedativní, nejsou literaturou podepřeny 2 . Nicméně je známo, že použití muškátového oříšku bylo běžné v "hippie kultuře" šedesátých a sedmdesátých let, u drogově závislých, vězňů, adolescentů a vysokoškolských studentů, kde byl považován za dostupnou alternativu při omezené dostupnosti alkoholu a rekreačních drog 3 , často v kombinaci s jinými medikamenty (konopí, syntetické kanabinoidy, amfetaminy, benzodiazepiny, difenhydramin, duloxetin, klonazepam, sirup proti kašli, acetaminofen, antihistaminka), a zvláště pak s alkoholem, či prostě jako laciný fet 4 , psychomimetikum, přírodní halucinogen, narkotikum a spirituální agens 5 . Že se jedná o fet, potvrzuje i to, že se o látku zajímal i známý drogový nestor Alexander Shulgin 6 .…”

“…Je studována antileukemická aktivita extraktů. Klinické testy s kontrolovanými dávkami prokázaly zlepšení stavu myšlení, spánku a snížení únavy a snížení neuropatických bolestí 5 . Merck Index uvádí, že zmírňuje plynatost, koliku trávicího traktu a žaludeční nevolnost (karminativum) 10 .…”

Endophytic bacteria associated with Myristica fragrans Houtt: Improved media, bacterial population, preliminary characterization, and potential as antibacterials

“…Myristica fragrans Houtt or nutmeg is known as a rich reservoir of bioactive molecules and used in traditional medicines of Asia, Europe, Africa, and America against malaria, cancer, madness, convulsion, skin infection, diarrhea, rheumatism, asthma, cough, cold, as stimulant, tonics, as well as psychotomimetic and antibacterial agents. This plant is generally cultivated around the tropical region (Barman et al 2021), including Indonesia and particularly Maluku Islands, as high-value commercial spice that are used in global cuisine.…”

Anti‐Proliferative Acyl Phenols and Arylnonanoids from the Fruit Rind of Myristica malabarica Lam.

“…Compound 2 (malabaricone B): Colorless needles (AcOEt-hexane); m.p. 98 °C; UV (MeOH) λ max (log ɛ) 224 (0.614), 270 (0.334), 346 (.0.198) nm; IR (KBr) ν max 3464, 3390, 3259, 2985, 1626 cm À 1 ; 1 H-NMR (CD 3 OD, 200 MHz) and 13 C-NMR (CD 3 OD, 50 MHz) data, see Table 2; EIMS (m/z) 342 [M + ] (85), 323 (53), 312 (5), 256 (6), 232 (17), 212 (5), 204 (57), 191 (7), 174 (8), 165 (100), 160 (45), 147 (22), 137 (19), 123 (24), 109 (30), 103 (6), 93 (7), 71 (6), 67 (6). CCDC reference number:…”

“…Not all Myristica species contain the diaryl nonanoids known as malabaricones, although they are in the same family. For example Myristica species such as M. alba, [14] M. andamania, [15] M. argentea, [7,16] M. maxima, [17] M. astrescens, [17,18] M. basilanica, [17,19] M. brachipoda, [17,18] M. brevistipes, [18,19] M. swamps, [20] M. fragrans, [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] M. maingayi, [33] M. dactyloides, [34][35] M. beddomei, [23] M. fatua, [36 -38] M. magniflica, [19,39] M. phillipensis, [9,39] etc. do not contain malabaricones.…”