Mace

Mace/Drug Interactions:

  • AnestheticsAnesthetics: Based on animal study, methyleugenol and other eugenol derivatives, isolated from the volatile oil fraction of Myristica fragrans were identified for anesthetic effects (5). Methyleugenol anesthetized the rats more rapidly than pentobarbital with a similar duration. Also, rats under methyleugenol anesthesia could be more easily operated on, showed less cyanosis, and recovered better than those under pentobarbital. Methyleugenol induced large amounts of slow wave activity and had no effect on brain levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine.
  • Antianxiety drugsAntianxiety drugs: The anxiolytic properties of the constituent myristicin have been evaluated in animal study (11). Further details are lacking.
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Constituents of mace have displayed antibacterial effects in vitro against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Helicobacter pylori (22; 27; 17; 79; 6; 8; 80; 81; 26; 7; 17; 82).
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In vitro, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid and otobaphenol, constituents of Myristica fragrans, have been shown to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a proposed drug target for treating type 2 diabetes (20). Macelignan, a constituent of mace, resulted in the reduction in serum glucose and insulin in diabetic mice (83).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Myristicin, a constituent of mace, had inhibitory effects against the biosynthesis of aflatoxin G1 in Aspergillus parasiticus (84). Antifungal effects of mace, or its constituents, have been shown in other study (85; 86).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In animal study, the methanolic extract of mace had anti-inflammatory effects against carageenan-induced edema, equivalent to indomethacin; myristicin was considered the effective constituent (4; 87).
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: Based on animal study, flavonoids from Myristica fragrans had hypolipidemic effects (88). In animal study, macelignan, a constituent of mace, reduced triglyceride levels (83).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In animal study, the addition of 1% mace in the diet of mice reduced the incidence of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced skin papilloma by approximately 50% (45). Oral mace has also been observed to reduce 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced uterine cervix carcinogenesis in animal study (14). Additionally, dihydroguaiaretic acid (DHGA), isolated from the arils of Myristica fragrans, has been shown to inhibit the formation of the fos-jun dimer and the DNA consensus sequence, resulting in reduced proliferation of cancer cells in vitro (15).
  • Antiobesity agentsAntiobesity agents: In vitro, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid and otobaphenol, constituents of Myristica fragrans, have been shown to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a proposed drug target for treating obesity (20).
  • Antiprotozoal agentsAntiprotozoal agents: Based on in vitro study, the malabaricones of Myristica malabarica had antileishmanial effects against Leishmania donovani promastigotes (89).
  • Antiulcer agentsAntiulcer agents: In animal study, Myristica fragrans and its constituents have been shown to reduce gastric acidity (49) and ulcer formation (48; 90; 91; 92).
  • Calcium channel blockersCalcium channel blockers: Myristica fragrans is thought to contain constituents that act as natural calcium channel blockers (anecdotal).
  • Cholinesterase inhibitorsCholinesterase inhibitors: Based on in vitro study, a hydroalcohol extract of Myristica fragrans had acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (93).
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: Based on animal study, essential oil of mace caused depressant effects at the highest doses (53). At the lowest doses, effects were weak or doubtful. The authors suggested toxicity at the high doses may have played a role in its depressive actions.
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: Data from animal study suggests that mace or its constituents may increase or decrease hepatic cytochrome P450 content (78; 94; 95). Mace induced CYP450 1A1/2, 2B1/2, and 2E1 (54).
  • Dental and periodontal agentsDental and periodontal agents: In clinical trial, chewing gum containing mace extract improved gingival inflammation (16).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: Based on in vitro study, lignans isolated from mace had immunomodulatory effects (30). The macelignans inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes in response to polyclonal T cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) due to cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and augmentation of apoptosis. The transcription of IL-2 and IL-4 genes and the production of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma cytokines were inhibited.
  • IndomethacinIndomethacin: Malabaricone B and C, constituents of Myristica malabarica, as well as Myristica malabarica itself, had antiulcer effects against indomethacin in animal study (90; 91; 92).

    • Mace/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnestheticsAnesthetics: Based on animal study, methyleugenol and other eugenol derivatives, isolated from the volatile oil fraction of Myristica fragrans were identified for anesthetic effects (5). Methyleugenol anesthetized the rats more rapidly than pentobarbital with a similar duration. Also, rats under methyleugenol anesthesia could be more easily operated on, showed less cyanosis, and recovered better than those under pentobarbital. Methyleugenol induced large amounts of slow wave activity and had no effect on brain levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine.
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Constituents of mace have displayed antibacterial effects in vitro against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Helicobacter pylori (22; 27; 17; 79; 6; 8; 80; 81; 26; 7; 17; 82).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Myristicin, a constituent of mace, had inhibitory effects against the biosynthesis of aflatoxin G1 in Aspergillus parasiticus (84). Antifungal effects of mace, or its constituents, have been shown in other study (85; 86).
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: In animal study, the methanolic extract of mace had anti-inflammatory effects against carageenan-induced edema, equivalent to indomethacin; myristicin was considered the effective constituent (4; 87).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: Based on animal study, flavonoids from Myristica fragrans had hypolipidemic effects (88). In animal study, macelignan, a constituent of mace, reduced triglyceride levels (83).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In animal study, the addition of 1% mace in the diet of mice reduced the incidence of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced skin papilloma by approximately 50% (45). Oral mace has also been observed to reduce 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced uterine cervix carcinogenesis in animal study (14). Additionally, dihydroguaiaretic acid (DHGA), isolated from the arils of Myristica fragrans, has been shown to inhibit the formation of the fos-jun dimer and the DNA consensus sequence, resulting in reduced proliferation of cancer cells in vitro (15).
  • Antiobesity herbs and supplementsAntiobesity herbs and supplements: In vitro, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid and otobaphenol, constituents of Myristica fragrans, have been shown to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a proposed drug target for treating obesity (20). The effects of mace with antiobesity agents are not well understood.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Mace had antioxidant effects against iron-induced peroxidation in rat liver (96). Superoxide radical-scavenging activity was also evident. A spice mixture, containing Myristica fragrans, had antioxidant effects in fructose-fed insulin-resistant rats (97). In vitro, mace had diphenyl-p-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity (98). In animal study, mace and myristicin stimulated the expression of glutathione-S-transferase in liver (99; 95). The antioxidant effects of mace extracts (100; 101) and constituents found in mace (102; 103) have been shown in other study, but further details are lacking at this time.
  • Antiulcer herbs and supplementsAntiulcer herbs and supplements: In animal study, Myristica fragrans and its constituents have been shown to reduce gastric acidity (49) and ulcer formation (48; 90; 91; 92).
  • Betel nutBetel nut: Based on animal study, areca nut may modulate the effect of mace on the hepatic detoxification system of mice (94).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplementsCytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplements: Data from animal study suggests that mace or its constituents may increase or decrease hepatic cytochrome P450 content (78; 94; 95). Mace induced CYP450 1A1/2, 2B1/2, and 2E1 (54).
  • Dental and periodontal agentsDental and periodontal agents: In clinical trial, chewing gum containing mace extract improved gingival inflammation (16). Gingival inflammation, as determined by the PMA index, the gingival bleeding index, and the gingival index, significantly improved.
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In vitro, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid and otobaphenol, constituents of Myristica fragrans, have been shown to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a proposed drug target for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity (20). Macelignan, a constituent of mace, resulted in the reduction in serum glucose and insulin, triglycerides in diabetic mice (83).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: Based on in vitro study, lignans isolated from mace had immunomodulatory effects (30). The macelignans inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes in response to polyclonal T cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) due to cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and augmentation of apoptosis. The transcription of IL-2 and IL-4 genes and the production of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma cytokines were inhibited.
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on animal study, essential oil of mace caused depressant effects at the highest doses (53). At the lowest doses, effects were weak or doubtful. The authors suggested toxicity at the high doses may have played a role in its depressive actions.

    • Mace/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Mace/Lab Interactions:

  • CytokinesCytokines: Based on in vitro study, lignans isolated from mace had immunomodulatory effects (30). The transcription of IL-2 and IL-4 genes and the production of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma cytokines were inhibited.
  • InsulinInsulin: Macelignan, a constituent of mace, has been shown to reduce insulin in diabetic mice (83).
  • Lipid profileLipid profile: Based on animal study, flavonoids from Myristica fragrans had hypolipidemic effects (88). In animal study, macelignan, a constituent of mace, reduced triglyceride levels (83).
  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: In vitro, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid and otobaphenol, constituents of Myristica fragrans, have been shown to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, a proposed drug target for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity (20). Macelignan, a constituent of mace, has been shown to reduce serum glucose in diabetic mice (83).