Nutmeg Uses and Pharmacology
There have been no clinical trials reported in the literature for nutmeg or mace in the past 10 years.
CNS effects
Nutmeg has long been known for its psychoactive properties (producing anxiety/fear, hallucinations), from as early as 16th century writings to current Internet-based sites. Doses of 5 to 15 g (1 to 3 whole nuts) are required for effect, but toxic overdose occurred at 5 g. Chronic nutmeg abuse has been reported.
The effects of nutmeg intoxication are variable and reflect anticholinergic and CNS excitatory effects. The chemical constituents responsible for the CNS effects appear to be myristicin, which is a hallucinogenic and weak monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, elemicin, safrole, and trimyristin (anxiogenic effects), with some components being structurally similar to serotonin agonists.
Experiments conducted in mice found anticonvulsant activity and other behavioral effects.
Antimicrobial effects
The oils of mace and nutmeg and their individual components have been assessed for their activity in vitro. A modulatory effect on the protein/toxins produced by some bacteria ( Listeria , Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus mutans ) but not on the microorganisms, has been reported
Activity has been shown against some oral microorganisms, including S. mutans , Porphyromonas gingivalis , and others. Activity against other bacteria includes some strains of Escherichia coli , human rotavirus, some strains of Salmonella typhi , Bacillus subtilis , S. aureus , and Listeria .
Reports of activity against fungi is conflicting, with no activity against Aspergillus and other plant fungi, but activity against some dermatophytes has been found.
Antioxidant effects
Experiments have been conducted to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the oils of nutmeg and mace and their chemical components, with some estimations considered to be weak. Eugenol has been identified as one component of nutmeg with antioxidant activity, and inhibition of nitric oxide production and NO-scavenging has been shown in experiments using the methanol extract of nutmeg.
Aphrodisiac
Increased sexual activity (libido and potency) has been demonstrated in male rats with ethanolic extracts of nutmeg, providing some support for the use of nutmeg as an aphrodisiac. Eugenol may be responsible for some of the aphrodisiac effect because of its vasodilatory and smooth muscle relaxant properties.
Cancer
The National Cancer Institute has screened the Myristicaceae plant family for activity against selected leukemia lines. Of the tested extracts, 18.8% exhibited antileukemia activity.
Mace is capable of modulating the activity of enzymes involved with activation and detoxication of carcinogens.
This property may be passed to lactating mice progeny.
The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of myristicin have been studied. Cell viability was reduced by exposure to myristicin in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
Safrole, a minor component of the oil, promoted hepatocarcinomas in mice.
Other
Extracts of nutmeg were bacteriostatic against H. pylori in vitro. Reduced gastric acidity and volume of gastric secretion have been demonstrated in rabbits given nutmeg extracts.
In rabbits given an ethanolic extract of nutmeg, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced while high-density lipoprotein levels were not changed. In another screening study, nutmeg demonstrated hepatoprotective properties.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of nutmeg have been reported in mice. Antithrombotic activity also was reported. Nutmeg has shown insulin-like activity in vitro.
Dosage
There are no clinical trials to support therapeutic dosing.
Consumption of nutmeg 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight was reported to induce CNS effects. Toxic overdose occurred at 5g
Pregnancy/Lactation
Nutmeg traditionally has been used as an abortifacient. Although this use has been largely discounted, it remains a persistent cause of nutmeg intoxication in women.
Interactions
Because of anxiogenic properties, a theoretical interaction may occur with nutmeg/mace and anxiolytics. Interactions with nutmeg and diazepam, ondansetron, or buspirone have been reported in rats. One death has been associated with concurrent ingestion of large amounts of nutmeg and flunitrazepam. Weak MAO-inhibitory properties have been noted for the compound myristicin.
Adverse Reactions
Allergy, contact dermatitis, and asthma have been reported. The chemical constituents limonene and eugenol are reported contact allergens, and IgE reactivity has been demonstrated in nutmeg and mace.
Toxicology
Acute psychosis and anticholinergic-like episodes have been reported with a wide variety of symptoms. Effects occured within 0.5 to 8 hours following ingestion.
The episodes are characterized by cutaneous flushing, tachycardia, decreased salivation, GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), fever, and CNS excitation with anxiety/fear. Miosis or mydriasis are not considered to be reliable signs, as either may be present. Shock, coma, and death have been reported. Treatment is supportive, with the use of antipsychotic therapy when necessary.
The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of myristicin have been explored. Cell viability was reduced by exposure to myristicin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Safrole, a minor component of the oil, has been shown to promote hepatocarcinomas in mice.
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