Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Myristica fragrans in animal models

Abstract

The effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) was investigated on chlorpromazine-induced glucose and triglyceride elevations in male Swiss albino mice. After 7 days of oral administration, the extract, at doses of 150 and 450 mg/kg, ameliorated the metabolic abnormalities caused by chlorpromazine as evidenced by significant reduction of glucose and triglyceride (TG) levels (maximal effect of 41% and 53% reduction of glucose and TG, respectively, at 450 mg dose, p < 0.01). The standard antidiabetic rosiglitazone at 10 mg significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the TG (63%) and glucose (40%) levels in this model, while the standard antidiabetic glimepiride has exhibited 55% and 16% reduction in TG and glucose, respectively. In rats fed a high-cholesterol diet, Myristica fragrans extract significantly reduced the elevated TG (47% reduction at 450 mg, p < 0.01) and cholesterol (66.7% reduction at 450 mg, p < 0.01), and also exhibited a reduction in hepatic TG secretion after tyloxapol administration. These data suggest that Myristica fragrans extract ameliorates hyperglycemia and abnormal lipid metabolism in animal models. © 2007 Informa Healthcare.