Evaluation of Antioxidant and Protease-inhibitory Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg)

Introduction: Myristica fragrans is an important commercial plant used for spices. The plant has been traditionally used as an anticancer, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative hypnotics and antimicrobial agent. Plants have played an important role in maintaining human health & improving the quality of human life for thousands of years and have served humans well as valuable components of medicines.

Methods: Ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans was obtained by hot percolation method. Preliminary Phytochemical screening of the extract was done .Antioxidant and anti inflammatory potential of ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans was analysed. The data were analysed statistically using two – way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple range test to assess the significance of individual variations between the groups. In Tukey’s test, significance was considered at the level of p<0.05.

Results: Ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) was rich in the phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins. IC50 of antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was found to be 300 µg/ml. IC50 of anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was found to be 360 µg/ml.

Conclusion: From the study, it was evident that the ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. In future, the extract can be validated as a drug formulation.