Al-Rawi Sawsan S, Ibrahim Ahmad Hamdy, Ahmed Heshu Jalal, Khudhur Zhikal Omar
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Education, Tishk International University, Erbil, KRG, Iraq.
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, KRG, Iraq.
Saudi Pharm J. 2024 Jun;32(6):102067. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102067. Epub 2024 Apr 16.
For centuries, plant seed extracts have been widely used and valued for their benefits. They have been used in food, perfumes, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine. These natural products are renowned for their therapeutic properties and are commonly used in medicinal treatments. Their significant pharmacological profiles provide an excellent hallmark for the prevention or treatment of various diseases. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the biological and pharmacological properties of nutmeg seeds and explored their efficacy in treating various illnesses.
Published articles in databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Wiley, were analyzed using keywords related to nutmeg seed. The searched keywords were chemical compounds, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer properties, and their protective mechanisms in cardiovascular and Alzheimer's diseases.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Nutmeg seeds have been reported to have potent antimicrobial properties against a wide range of various bacteria and fungi, thus showing potential for combating microbial infections and promoting overall health. Furthermore, nutmeg extract effectively reduces oxidative stress and inflammation by improving the body's natural antioxidant defense mechanism. Nutmeg affected lipid peroxidation, reduced lipid oxidation, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and increased phospholipid and cholesterol excretion. In addition, nutmeg extract improves the modulation of cardiac metabolism, accelerates cardiac conductivity and ventricular contractility, and prevents cell apoptosis. This study elucidated the psychotropic, narcotic, antidepressant, and anxiogenic effects of nutmeg seeds and their potential as a pharmaceutical medicine. Notably, despite its sedative and toxic properties, nutmeg ingestion alone did not cause death or life-threatening effects within the dosage range of 20-80 g powder. However, chemical analysis of nutmeg extracts identified over 50 compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenolic compounds, which exhibit antioxidant properties and can be used as phytomedicines. Moreover, the exceptional pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nutmeg have been found different for different administration routes, yet, more clinical trials are still needed.
Understanding the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of nutmeg holds promise for novel drug discovery and therapeutic advancements. Nutmeg seed offers therapeutic and novel drug prospects that can revolutionize medicine. By delving into their pharmacological properties, we can uncover the vast potential possibilities of this natural wonder.
几个世纪以来，植物种子提取物因其益处而被广泛使用和重视。它们被用于食品、香水、芳香疗法和传统医学。这些天然产品以其治疗特性而闻名，常用于药物治疗。它们显著的药理特性为预防或治疗各种疾病提供了良好的标志。在本研究中，我们全面评估了肉豆蔻种子的生物学和药理学特性，并探讨了其治疗各种疾病的功效。
使用与肉豆蔻种子相关的关键词分析谷歌学术、PubMed、爱思唯尔、Scopus、ScienceDirect和Wiley等数据库中发表的文章。搜索的关键词包括化合物、抗氧化剂、抗炎、抗菌、抗真菌、抗病毒、抗糖尿病、抗癌特性及其在心血管疾病和阿尔茨海默病中的保护机制。
据报道，肉豆蔻种子对多种细菌和真菌具有强大的抗菌特性，因此在对抗微生物感染和促进整体健康方面显示出潜力。此外，肉豆蔻提取物通过改善人体天然抗氧化防御机制有效降低氧化应激和炎症。肉豆蔻影响脂质过氧化，减少脂质氧化，降低低密度脂蛋白（LDL），并增加磷脂和胆固醇排泄。此外，肉豆蔻提取物改善心脏代谢调节，加速心脏传导和心室收缩，并防止细胞凋亡。本研究阐明了肉豆蔻种子的精神、麻醉、抗抑郁和致焦虑作用及其作为药物的潜力。值得注意的是，尽管肉豆蔻具有镇静和毒性特性，但在20 - 80克粉末的剂量范围内，单独摄入肉豆蔻不会导致死亡或危及生命的影响。然而，肉豆蔻提取物的化学分析鉴定出50多种化合物，包括黄酮类、生物碱和多酚类化合物，它们具有抗氧化特性，可作为植物药使用。此外，已发现肉豆蔻不同给药途径的药代动力学和生物利用度不同，但仍需要更多的临床试验。
了解肉豆蔻的化学成分和药理特性有望推动新药发现和治疗进展。肉豆蔻种子提供了治疗和新药前景，可能会彻底改变医学。通过深入研究其药理特性，我们可以发现这个天然奇迹的巨大潜在可能性。
