Toxicity of Nutmeg (Myristicin): A Review

Abstract

In this paper a detailed review of myristicin is reported. Numerous literatures report that myristicin is responsible for hallucinogenic effects, which induced by the consumption of nutmeg due to its metabolism structure of 3-methoxy-4,5methylendioxyamphetamine (MMDA). Minimum dosage of nutmeg that can cause psychogenic effect is 5 g (ground nutmeg) with 1 to 2 mg myristicin content and this dosage is considered as 'toxic dose'. At higher dosage of myristicin death may occur. Additionally, Myristicin poisoning can lead to many health problems that related to brain problem. Those symptoms usually occur 3 to 6 hours after ingestion of myristicin or foodstuffs containing it, and effects may persist up to 72 hours. California Poison Control System (CPCS) electronic database 72.3% exposures between 1997 and 2008 that were intentional for recreational purposes (between ages 13 and 20 years old). The remaining considered as unintentionally exposed. Between 1998 to 2008, Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN) received seventeen nutmeg poisoning and 64.7% from that cases involved abuse, and the rest was unintentional exposure. Most of the nutmeg exposures were via the oral route and minor cases of nutmeg exposure occurred through insufflated nutmeg, unintentional dermal and ocular exposures. Nutmeg also has been misused by mixing it with other drugs in order to get "high". For intoxication cases, treatments like decontamination (cathartic, charcoal, dilution, fresh air, IV fluids) and supportive care (benzodiazepines) will be provided to reduce the effects.

Evaluation of Drimys winteri (Canelo) Essential Oil as Insecticide against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Other sesquiterpenes present in CEO with biologic activity are drimenol and drimenin, which were insecticidal against S. granarius [25], while the phenylpropanoid myristicin was larvicidal towards A. aegypti [74] and Spilarctia obliqua (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) [75]. Myristicin has been described for its synergistic activity [76] as occurs with safrole, which is a precursor in the synthesis of the insecticide synergist piperonyl butoxide [77] and acts as a natural antifeedant [78].…”

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Myristicin: A Literature Review

“…Furthermore, myristicin is slightly capable of inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), which would cause pro-serotoninergic effects and cardiovascular symptoms. Studies have shown that myristicin is able to promote anxiogenesis and affect motor actions and it is suggested that it is able to modulate GABA receptors, possibly acting as an antagonist, generating anxiety [11][12][13][14]. Myristicin is metabolized in the liver by enzymes of the cytochrome P450 complex.…”

“…Therefore, inducing substances of the CYP1A group may facilitate the formation of reactive metabolites and increase the risk of toxicity related to myristicin. However, myristicin was also evaluated for its likely ability to inhibit CYP complex enzymes, and the results showed that myristicin exerts some inhibitory effect on human CYP2E1, CYP2C19, and CYP1A2 but exerts the strongest inhibitory effect on CYP1A2 [9,10,13].…”

NTP Technical Report on the Toxicity Studies of Myristicin (CASRN 607-91-0) Administered by Gavage to F344/NTac Rats and B6C3F1/N Mice

“…There are well-documented reports of the acute toxicity of nutmeg. [50][51][52] Daily intake of myristicin by ingestion from all sources is estimated to not exceed 1 mg. 2 Myristicin production or distribution is not regulated; moreover, natural and synthetic sources of myristicin are all generally recognized as safe. 15 Because of its widespread use and structural similarity to other alkenylbenzene flavoring agents such as eugenol, methyleugenol, isoeugenol, estragole, and safrole, some of which have exhibited carcinogenic activity in rodents, 57; 58; 88-90 NTP characterized the toxicological effects of myristicin administration in 3-month studies in male and female F344/NTac rats and B6C3F1/N mice.…”