Myristicin effects

The edible parts of parsnips (Pastimea sativa L.), which have been consumed for centuries by humans without causing any obvious harm, were found to contain a chemical of insecticidal and strong synergistic nature (1). The insecticidal constituent, present at about 200 p.p.m., was isolated and identified as 5-allyl-l-methoxy-2, 3-methylenedioxybenzene or myristicin. Its toxicity to various insects [vinegar flies, houseflies, Mediterranean fruit flies, mosquito larvae, Mexican bean beetles, and pea aphids] was established and compared with pyrethrum and aldrin (Tables I and II). The knockdown effect, although definite, was not as great as that of pyrethrum. In tests... 

A four-year study of field-grown commercial carrot roots revealed that recently harvested, unprocessed carrot roots contained 24 ppm falcarinol and 65 ppm falcarindiol (8). 6-Methoxymellein (6-MM) had not been identified by Yates al (8) at that time, and was not measured in that study. Reexamination of data revealed that 6-MM was absent from most samples, but present in a few at concentrations of 2 to 8 ppm. Myristicin, 1 ppm, was detected in only one sample. Wulf et 1978, reported that myristicin was present in supermarket carrots. Other studies have shown that certain brands of supermarket carrots contain myristicin while others do not (Yates, unpub.). The presence of myristicin in some samples from the supermarket and its absence in unprocessed carrots analyzed as soon after harvest as possible suggests that myristicin formation is induced during some stage of processing. Since light is known to be an elicitor of a plant system that results in the synthesis of phenylpropanoid compounds, a study of the effect of light on harvested carrot roots was undertaken. 

Eugenol can be determined in mixtures with myristicin, apiol, allyltetramethoxybenzene, and elemicin using thin layer chromatography [23]. The method uses silica gel as the stationary phase, and 97 3 toluene-ethyl acetate as the mobile phase. Detection is effected on the basis of the UV absorbance at 254 nm, and by spraying with vanillin-sulfuric acid reagent. 

Myristicin, l-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene, a naturally occurring alkenylbenzene found in nutmeg, produced neurotoxic effects. Myristicin at > 0.5 mM concentration showed cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cells (Lee et al., 2005). 

Morita, T., Jinno, K., Kawagishi, H., Arimoto, Y., Suganuma, H., Inakuma, T. and Sugiyama, K. (2003) Hepatoprotective effect of myristicin from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) on lipopolysaccharide/ D-galactosamine-induced liver injury, journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 51 (6), 1 560-1 565. 

Most users feel mental effects from ground nutmeg with a 20 gm. dose, which has been assayed at 210 mg. myristicin (potential MMDA), 70 mg. elemicin (potential TMA), 39 mg. safrole (potential MDA), plus smaller amounts of other aromatic ethers and a number of terpene hydrocarbons (biological irritants). 

Many methylenedioxy compounds such as myristicin are known to have a toxic effect on Drosophila melanogastar, A. aegyptii, and mice [73], These compounds also inhibited the growth of the fungus Cladosporium... 

Hallucinogenic effects from nutmeg can be achieved from doses of 5-30 g. Also, elemicin and myristicin, which are present in this familiar spice, can be converted by transamination reactions to the two phenylethylamines 3,4,5-trimethoxy-amphetamine (TMA) and 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphet-amine (MMDA), whose psychoactive effects are well known (see Fig. 6-1). Nutmeg oil is also consumed in closed wards and prisons [3,15]. 

These important products are not all synthetic. The oral consumption of 5-30 g nutmeg will produce hallucinogenic and entactogenic effects. The two constituents elemicine and myristicine (see Fig. 6-1) are converted by transamination in the liver to 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine and MMDA [15]. 

The two relevant constituents of nutmeg, elemicine and myristicine, become centrally active substances by transamination in die liver. The effects of the biogenic products 3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine and MMDA have been known for a long time. After consumption of these drugs, the urine also contains various methoxypropenylphenols, especially 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-phenol (Fig. 8-26). 

No adverse effects were observed in rats fed diets containing myristicin at amounts equivalent to 10 mg/kg daily for 26 days. Observed parameters included body weight and histological examination of the livers and kidneys (Hallstrom and Thuvander 1997). 

Nutmeg in sufficient dosage is reported to have psychotropic properties (hallucinations, feelings of unreality, euphoria, delusions, etc.) these have been proposed to be due to myristicin or to its metabolic conversion to amphetamine-like compounds. However, the psychotropic effects of myristicin need further investigation, and the amphetaminelike metabolite(s) theory has recently been questioned. Other CNS activities reported... 

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