Hepatic Toxicity Profile of Ethanolic Fraction of the Seed of Myristica Fragrans Houston in Adult Wistar Rats

We studied hepatic toxicity profile of the ethanolic fraction of the seed of Myristica fragrans (M. fragrans, nutmeg) in rats. Adult Wistar rats were randomized to receive 20 mg/kg/d or 80 mg/kg/d of oral ethanolic fraction of nutmeg for 7 days (7d; acute treatment) or 28 days (28d; chronic treatment). Hepatic histology (haematoxylin and eosin stained paraffin sections of the liver) and plasma levels of liver enzymes were analyzed and compared with controls. Our findings showed that chronic treatment with higher dose of ethanolic fraction of nutmeg (80 mg/kg/d) but not lower dose (20 mg/kg/d), induces significant elevations (P<0.05) in plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. These biochemical findings and the presence of hepatic sinusoidal dilatation in these treated rats suggest that long-term treatment with higher but not lower dose of the nutmeg is associated with hepatic injury. However, the specific phytochemical principles in nutmeg that is responsible for this hepatic toxicity profile of the spice is unknown and requires further studies.

Key Words: Hepatic Toxicity, Myristica fragrans, Wistar Rats