Crude drug sample data base

※Click on the image to enlarge it.
Crude drug name

Market namePala(s)
Other namesJava: paala (Madurese); Sumatra: palo (Minangkabau); Celebes: para (North Celebes), pala (Makasar); Mollucas: pana (South Seram), kuhi pun (Buru), gosora (North Halmahera) [201]
English nameNutmeg
Original plant nameMyristica fragrans Houtt., Nutmeg
Family nameMyristicaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification kernel
Collection informationRepublic of Indonesia, Ujung Pandang (Makassar), Pasar Terong
Collection date1997/11/12
CollectorSeiichi Yamaji, et al.
IdentifierMangestuti Agil
TMPW No.17642

Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameIndonesian name,
English name		Biji pala, Nutmeg
crude drug image
More
※Click on the image to enlarge it.
Original plant nameMyristica fragrans Houtt.
Family nameMyristicaceae
Used partSeed
Distribution areaIt is originated in Indonesia from the southern Moluccan Islands, especially Ambon and Banda. The main center for cultivation is Banda and surrounding islands; small scale cultivation occurs in some other islands, such as Sumatera, Sulawesi, West Java and Irian Jaya [201, 204].
DescriptionFruit peach-shaped, berry or drupe-like, fleshy, yellowish, splitting open into 2 halves when ripe, and contains one seed.
The seed is egg-shaped, 20-30 mm long and 15-18 mm wide, stony and hard. Different shapes of seeds obtained from different plants have different local names. ''Pala bui'' are long seeds and obtained from male plants. ''Pala pencuri'' are half-covered or not covered by outer skin. ''Pala raja'' are obtained from plants with thick and hard flowers but small seeds. Fruit peach-shaped, berry or drupe-like, fleshy, yellowish, splitting open into 2 halves when ripe, and contains one seed.
Drug effectNeutralizing [231].
Specific actionsSpasmolytic, stimulant.
Frequency in useAbundant.
Common usesThe dry shelled seed and dried aril are used as spice whole or ground to flavor dishes (meat, soup) and confectionery. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg is used as a flavour component in food products.

Externally, the essential oil obtained by the steam distillation of ground nutmeg is used for rheumatic pain.

In Indonesia, the fruit is sliced finely, cooked and crystallised to make a fragrant candy called manisan pala. [204]. Marmalade made from the fruit is very delicious [201, 204].
Side effectA dose of 7.5 grams or more are dangerous that can induce convulsions, palpitations, nausea, dehydration and body pain. A dose of 1 gram or more is hallucinogenic and can produce a mild euphoria.
Pharmacological effectThe hallucinogenic properties of nutmeg have been ascribe to the aromatic ethers safrole, myristicin and elemicin [204].

The n-hexane extract of M. fragrans showed a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice, when assessed in both the tail suspension test and forced swim test.The antidepressant-like effect of the extract seems to be mediated by interaction with the adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems [PMID: 16579733].

Constituents of M. fragrans show antibacterial properties which give a possibility as a replacement of synthetic preservatives [PMID: 17004905].

Acetylcholineesterase is an enzyme that inactivates acetylcholine. In a study to estimate the acetylcholinesterase- inhibiting activity of extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Myristica fragrans seeds, and ascorbic acid and compare these values with a standard acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting drug, it was shown that they significantly decreased acetylcholinesterase activity as compared with their respective vehicle-treated control groups [PMID: 16822217].

The anticariogenic compound was successfully isolated from the methanol extract of M. fragrans by repeated silica gel chromatography, and its structure was identified as macelignan. Study showed the bactericidal activity of macelignan against oral bacteria strongly suggest that it could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent in functional foods or oral care products [PMID: 16492529].

50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg possesses aphrodisiac activity, increasing both libido and potency, which might be attributed to its nervous stimulating property. It provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of nutmeg in the management of male sexual disorders [PMID: 16033651].

Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B has been proposed as one of the drug targets for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. Bioassay-guided fractionation of a MeOH extract of the semen of Myristica fragrans Houtt. afforded PTP1B inhibitory compounds, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (1) and otobaphenol (2). Result of a study showed that compound 1 can act as an enhancing agent in intracellular insulin signaling, possibly through the inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activity [PMID: 16752372].
Medical systemIndonesian medicine (Jamu)
Traditional usageSeeds are used as carminative, spasmolytic and anti emetic. A mixture of 1 teaspoon of nutmeg and a small amount of salt is used for abdominal cramp.

Dried flowers are locally called ''kembang pala'' or ''bunga pala'' (kembang = bunga = flower, pala = Myristica fragrans) and sold in traditional medicine vendors. Vendors also sell ''biji pala'' (biji = seed), locally called pala perempuan or pala baros.
Fruit pulp mixed with water and crushed or sap obtained from green fruits and diluted with water are gargled to clean mouth cavity, throat and cured thrush.
[201], [231].
Formulation1) Stomach cramps:
 1 gram of powdered seed together with 6 grams of stoned banana (Indonesia: pisang (banana) and batu (stoned)) are steeped in 100 ml of hot water. Drink 100 ml of the tea for 30 days [231].

2) Hoarseness:
 2 pieces of seeds, 3 pieces of ginger, 7 pieces of clove are steeped in 50 ml of water. Rub the tea externally on the neck, add eucalyptus oil if necessary. Repeat every three hours [231].
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

[201] K. Heyne, Tumbuhan Berguna Indonesia, Vols. 1-4, 1987. Diedarkan Oleh Koperasi Karyawan Departemen Kehutanan, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Vol. 2, p 783.

[204] de Guzman, C.C. and Siemonsma, J.S. (Editors), 1999. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 13 Species. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands.
p 143.

[231] Soedibyo, Mooryati: Alam Sumber Kesehatan: Manfaat dan Kegunaan (Natural resources for health. Benefits and uses). Balai Pustaka. 1998.
pp 286-287.

Research paper1. Narasimhan B, Dhake AS. Antibacterial principles from Myristica fragrans seeds. J Med Food. 9(3):395-9, 2006. (PMID: 17004905)

2. Dhingra D, Parle M, Kulkarni SK. Comparative brain cholinesterase-inhibiting activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Myristica fragrans, ascorbic acid, and metrifonate in mice. J Med Food. 9(2):281-3, 2006. (PMID: 16822217)

3. Yang S, Na MK, Jang JP, Kim KA, Kim BY, Sung NJ, Oh WK, Ahn JS. Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by lignans from Myristica fragrans. Phytother Res. 20(8):680-2, 2006. (PMID: 16752372)

4. Dhingra D, Sharma A. Antidepressant-like activity of n-hexane extract of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seeds in mice. J Med Food. 9(1):84-9, 2006. (PMID: 16579733)

5. Chung JY, Choo JH, Lee MH, Hwang JK. Anticariogenic activity of macelignan isolated from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) against Streptococcus mutans. Phytomedicine. 13(4):261-6, 2006. (PMID: 16492529)

6. Tajuddin, Ahmad S, Latif A, Qasmi IA, Amin KM. An experimental study of sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg). BMC Complement Altern Med. 20;5:16, 2005. (PMID: 16033651)
RemarksManisan pala is prepared from boiled fruits which are then soaked in water for 8 to 10 days after perforating the outer skin layer to make some small holes. The fruits are then cooked in a mixture of 50 % sugar and 50% water for 8 consecutive days to make syrup. The syrup is heated every day during the process.
Flowers are sun-dried and pressed to make bunga pala. Pounded bunga pala is steamed to obtain oleoresin.
Seeds are heated to dry and then are beaten to remove the skin.
Last renewal date2024/03/05
[close the window]