Hypolipidaemic effect of Myristica fragrans fruit extract in rabbits

The ethanolic extract of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) was studied in albino rabbits for its effects on experimentally induced hyperlipidaemia. After inducing hyperlipidaemia in 12 rabbits a dose of 500 mg/kg of the extract was administered orally daily for a period of 60 days in 6 rabbits (experimental group); the rest of the rabbits were observed as controls. When compared with the control of rabbits the levels of lipoprotein lipids were significantly lower in the experimental group after 60 days; total cholesterol 573 +/- 61 vs. 209 +/- 27 mg/dl, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 493 +/- 57 vs. 131 +/- 25 mg/dl, and triglycerides 108 +/- 14 vs. 67 +/- 9 mg/dl P < 0.001). High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were not significantly different (59 +/- 7 vs. 65 +/- 4 mg/dl, P = n.s.). Total cholesterol:HDL ratio and LDL:HDL ratio were significantly lower in the experimental group. The Myristica fragrans extract showed platelet anti-aggregatory ability. There were significantly lower levels of total cholesterol in heart (3.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.5 mg/100 g) and liver (11.9 +/- 1 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.4 mg/100 g). The toxicity studies showed absence of any adverse effects on various haematological and biochemical parameters.