Myristica fragrans (Miskad) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Myristica fragrans (Miskad, Nutmeg, Muscade) — family Myristicacées.

Scientific synonyms : Myristica. amboinensis-Gand, M. americana-Roth, M. Aromatica-Lam, M. officinalis-L.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 14 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 62 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: Nuts.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to KAUSA MA (2025)

     Excerpt The present study investigates the therapeutic effects of an ethanolic polyherbal extract from Citrullus colocynthis (Bitter Apple), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), & Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) using advanced in silico & analytical methods. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the severe complications of diabetes, which affects the quality of life in a patient & increases the risk of amputations & chronic wounds.

   • According to Perumalsamy R (2022)

     Excerpt This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles from a hydroethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans seeds (MFHE) & evaluate their anti-diabetic properties. Myristica fragrans, also known as nutmeg, is a spice that cures various diseases.

   • According to LUO J (2026)

     Excerpt Myristica fragrans Houtt. fragrans, & comprehensively summarize recent advances in its botanical characterization, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, & toxicology, thereby providing a solid foundation for the in-depth study & rational utilization of this resource.

   • According to Morita T (2003)

     Excerpt To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of spices, 21 different spices were fed to rats with liver damage caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus d-galactosamine (D-GalN). These findings suggest that the hepatoprotective activity of myristicin might be, at least in part, due to the inhibition of TNF-alpha release from macrophages.

   • According to Bamidele O (2016)

     Excerpt The effects of Myristica fragrans on cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity & nephrotoxicity was studied in female Wistar rats. M fragrans seed has protective & therapeutic potentials against cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity & nephrotoxicity in female albino rats.

2. 2

   Cancer: adjuvant treatment of carcinoma: central nervous system (astrocytoma, glioma), colorectal, prostate and uterine

   Plant part used: Nuts.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Piaru S.P (2012)

     Excerpt In this study the chemical composition, antioxidant activities & cytotoxic effect of the essential oils of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) & Morinda citrifolia were determined. The MTT assay of nutmeg oil on human colorectal carcinoma (HCT‐116) & human breast carcinoma (MCF‐7) cell lines showed IC50 values of 78.61 & 66.45 µg mL−1, respectively.

   • According to Prakash E (2013)

     Excerpt The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in-vitro anticancer effects of ethanolic extract of seed of Myristica fragrans against seven human cancer cell lines ascribed to central nervous system (SF295=astrocytoma, glioma), Colon cell (Colon502713, Colo205), Liver (Hep-2), Lung (A-549), Ovary OVCAR-5 & Prostate (PC-5). OVCAR-5 (Ovary) cell line showed highest cytotoxic activity (97%) Growth inhibition of colon 502713 & PC-5 (Prostate) cell lines was 86%.

   • According to Suthisampat N (2020)

     Excerpt The aril (mace) of Myristica fragrans, known as Dok-Chan, is a spice that has long been used for treating stomach discomfort, peptic ulcer, & nausea. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) inhibition in a RAW264.7 cell line, & cytotoxicity was determined against gastric cancer cell lines (Kato III) using the Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay.

   • According to Rizwana H (2021)

     Excerpt Mace, the arils of Myristica fragrans, are a rich source of several bioactive compounds, including polyphenols & aromatic compounds. Additionally, the synthesized mace-AgNPs displayed an excellent cytotoxic effect against the human cervical cancer cell line.

   • According to ZAIDI F (2008)

     Excerpt The 70% aqueous-ethanol extracts of Curcuma armada, Mallotus philippinensis, Myristica fragrans & Psoralea corylifolia demonstrated strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with MBC value ranged from 15.6 to 62.5 microg/ml. Helicobacter pylori infection plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Peptic ulcer, & gastric cancer.

3. 3

   Bacterial infection: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus

   Plant part used: Nuts.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to IBRAHIM KM (2013)

     Excerpt fragrans seed extract tested against four bacteria species; two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, & Staphylococcus aureus) & two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli & Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Results showed that ethanol & acetone extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against gram positive bacterial species only, the diameter of inhibition zone reached 25mm against Staph aureus by crush extract.

   • According to OO T (2021)

     Excerpt Bacterial resistance involves the expression of efflux pump systems (chromosomal norA & mepA) in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Myristica fragrans Houtt.

   • According to Balakrishnan S (2020)

     Excerpt Here, we report antibiofilm activity & quorum sensing inhibition of aqueous seeds extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) & biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Globally, Salmonella infection poses a major public health problem.

   • According to ZAIDI F (2008)

     Excerpt The 70% aqueous-ethanol extracts of Curcuma armada, Mallotus philippinensis, Myristica fragrans & Psoralea corylifolia demonstrated strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with MBC value ranged from 15.6 to 62.5 microg/ml. Helicobacter pylori infection plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Peptic ulcer, & gastric cancer.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.