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Bioactive Molecules in Food pp 1–14Cite as

Are Myristica fragrans L. (Myristicaceae) and Its Phytochemicals Useful for Human Health?

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Part of the book series: Reference Series in Phytochemistry ((RSP))

Abstract

From Myristica fragrans L. (Myristicaceae) two spices, nutmeg and mace, were obtained. This plant is traditionally used in China, India, and African countries for the treatment of several diseases, such as decreased appetite, diarrhea, muscle spasm, rheumatism, etc. Recently, M. fragrans has been investigated for antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic, antibacterial, and antifungal potential.

A perusal analysis of literature evidenced that M. fragrans deserves more attention by scientific community to explore its full range of bioactivity in the welfare of the society especially in emergent Countries.

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Abbreviations

5-HT:

Serotonin

AChE:

Acetylcholinesterase

AMPK:

AMP-activated protein kinase

BChE:

Butyrylcholinesterase

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

GABA:

γ-Aminobutyric acid

IL:

Interleukin

LDH-A:

Lactate dehydrogenase

MCP:

Monocyte chemotactic protein

MIP:

Macrophage inflammatory protein

NO:

Nitric oxide

PAS:

Peripheral anionic site

THF:

Tetrahydrofuran mixture

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Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy

    Monica Rosa Loizzo & Rosa Tundis

  2. Department of Agricultural Science, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Via Graziella, Feo di Vito, 89123, Reggio, Calabria, Italy

    Vincenzo Sicari

  3. Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University, Taipa, Macau

    Jianbo Xiao

  4. Institut für Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany

    Jianbo Xiao

Authors
  1. Monica Rosa Loizzo
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  2. Vincenzo Sicari
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  3. Jianbo Xiao
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  4. Rosa Tundis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monica Rosa Loizzo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gr. d'Etude Subst. Vég. à Act. Biol, Institut des Sciences de la Vigne e Gr. d'Etude Subst. Vég. à Act. Biol, Villenave d'Ornon, France

    Jean-Michel Mérillon

  2. M.L. Sukhadia University , Badgaon, Rajasthan, India

    K.G. Ramawat

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Loizzo, M.R., Sicari, V., Xiao, J., Tundis, R. (2017). Are Myristica fragrans L. (Myristicaceae) and Its Phytochemicals Useful for Human Health?. In: Mérillon, JM., Ramawat, K. (eds) Bioactive Molecules in Food. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54528-8_23-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54528-8_23-1

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