azil for many years, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing actions that enhance or avert injuries, and currently its extract is often found in ointments and gels made by the pharmaceutical sector [5]. For that reason, because the principal supply of new drugs are natural solutions, it is necessary to carry out research to uncover new treatment options from sources which have been little explored. In this function, we are going to talk about a substance named myristicin. It was initial found inside the seed of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), and was described within the French RelB drug colonies within the mid-18th century, on the Maluku islands [6]. Also for the higher concentration within this seed, myristicin also can be identified in cinnamon, parsley, some varieties of pepper along with other spices native to Asia. Nutmeg was utilized in ancient instances (in India as well as other regions of Asia) to treat anxiousness, stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea [7]. Also, it has been described as a meals preservative, since it has antimicrobial activities, and it’s at present employed as a flavoring agent by the food sector [8]. When applied in very higher amounts, myristicin can have toxic effects, major to liver degeneration and mental confusion, as it is toxic to the central nervous technique. It is actually believed that myristicin is within the principal accountable for the advantages described with all the use of nutmeg, at the same time as for its toxic effects, given that it can be the biggest compound present within this spice [7]. Several preliminary research have already been carried out with myristicin over the last couple of years, demonstrating that it has promising biological activities, nevertheless it is still small explored. Therefore, taking into consideration the ethnopharmacology of myristicin, too because the significance of all-natural items as a supply of new drugs, there is certainly an urgent require to investigate scientific information about its properties, which may perhaps justify its use as a therapeutic substance additionally to arousing scientific interest in continuing the investigation of its pharmacological properties. two. Final results and Discussion 2.1. Metabolization and Toxicity of Myristicin Inside the 1960s and 1970s, nutmeg was used as a psychedelic drug by the hippie culture, but it was abandoned due to the headache it caused in customers. The principle toxic activity of nuts happens within the central nervous technique, and is straight linked to the high concentrations of myristicin (1-allyl-5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene), although there may be synergistic Abl Inhibitor review effects with all the other elements [9,10]. The psychedelic effects of myristicin are believed to be connected to its active amphetamine-derived metabolite. Furthermore, myristicin is slightly capable of inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), which would result in pro-serotoninergic effects and cardiovascular symptoms. Research have shown that myristicin is able to promote anxiogenesis and have an effect on motor actions and it is actually suggested that it is actually capable to modulate GABA receptors, possibly acting as an antagonist, generating anxiousness [114]. Myristicin is metabolized within the liver by enzymes of the cytochrome P450 complicated. Its hepatic biotransformation generates metabolites that remain active and may very well be accountable for its toxicity. In phase 1 metabolism, the primary active metabolites are 1′-hydroxymyristicin and 5-allyl-1-methoxy-2,3-dihydroxybenzene. It has also been reported that myristicin is usually converted to an amphetamine-like metabolite: 3methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxy-amphetamine (MMDA), known for its psychedelic effects (Figure 1). The main enzyme responsible for its bi