Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans Preetee Jaiswal, Pradeep Kumar, Vinay K Singh, Dinesh K Singh* Department of Zoology, DDU Gorakhpur University, INDIA Received: 03 August 2009; accepted 09 December 2009 Online on 20 December 2009 Abstract Jaiswal P, Kumar P, Singh VK, Singh DK. Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans. Annu Rev Biomed Sci 2009;11:21-29. Myristica fragrans is an evergreen tree that produces two spices, nutmeg and mace. Its medicinal uses in the aurvedic system of treatment are based on traditional experience inherited from one generation to other. Scientists from various disciplines are now directing their research towards investigat- ing the effects of M. fragrans on human health. The chemical constituents of M. fragrans have been investigated for hypolipidaemic and hypocholesterolemic effects, antimicrobial, antidepressant, aphrodi- siac, memory enhancing, antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Recent studies have revealed strong insecticidal and molluscicidal activities of M. fragrans. Despite some laboratory studies on the insecti- cidal / molluscicidal activity of M. fragrans, more field studies are recommended for effective control of pests. It is clearly evident from the literature review that M. fragrans deserves more attention by scientific community and public health specialists to explore its full range of benefits in the welfare of the society. © by São Paulo State University – ISSN 1806-8774 Keywords: Myristica fragrans, nutmeg, mace, antimicrobial, antioxidant, pesticidal Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1.1. Distribution 1.2. Pharmacologically active parts of the plant 2. Chemical Composition 3. Biological Effects 3.1. Antimicrobial activity 3.2. Hypolipidaemic and hypocholesterolemic effect 3.3. Antidepressant activity 3.4. Antidiabetic activity 3.5. Aphrodisiac activity 3.6. Cytotoxicity * Correspondence Dinesh K Singh. Reader, Department of Zoology, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273 009, UP, India. E-mail: dksingh_gpu@yahoo.co.in ARBS Annual Review of Biomedical Sciences pdf freely available at http://arbs.biblioteca.unesp.br 2009;11:21-29 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5016/1806-8774.2009v11p21