Nutmeg: A Review on Basic Source, Traditional Use, Chemical Components, Pharmacological Activities, Mechanism, and...

Myristica fragrans (M. fragrans) is a species within the Myristicaceae family and the Myristica genus. It is an evergreen tree plant native to Maluku and the Banda Islands. Nutmeg (dried kernel of M. fragrans) could be used not only as a spice but also as a valuable medicinal herb used in traditional ethnomedicines, including Ayurvedic medicine, Tibetan medicine, Mongolian medicine, and Chinese medicine. From previous studies, it has been found that its chemical components are lignans, neolignans, volatile oils, and other chemical components. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that nutmeg extract and its chemical constituents possess a wide range of pharmacological activities such as neurological and digestive pharmacological effects, as well as cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, potential anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant activities, and other pharmacological effects, which are closely related to its rich ethnomedical uses. There were more studies on the pharmacological activities and chemical constituents of nutmeg, but few studies had been carried out in terms of incorporating the experience of traditional medicine and systematic quality control studies. Based on botanical books, Chinese classic texts, medical monographs, and academic search engines (Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Library), this paper reviewed various aspects of nutmeg, such as its basic source, traditional use, chemical components, pharmacological activities, and mechanism of action, as well as quality control, with a view to laying a foundation for the study of the potential pharmacological activities and quality control of nutmeg and providing a theoretical basis for the further development of nutmeg.