Abstract
5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been considered as a therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndrome including obesity and type 2 diabetes. In our program to search new AMPK activators from plants, we found that a total extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) activated the AMPK enzyme in differentiated C2C12 cells. As the major constituents of nutmeg, seven lignans, (1) macelignan; (2) meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid; (3) (+/−)-trans-dehydrodiisoeugenol; (4) nectandrin B; (5) licarin A; (6) otobaphenol; and (7) myristicin, were isolated from this extract. It has been well known that myristicin is a principal aromatic constituent of M. fragrans, and its overdose intake in human causes severe psychopharmacological effects. Thus, the processing condition for preparing of extract with active ingredients on AMPK from nutmeg and the method for reducing myristicin content in active ingredients were also studied. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), which refers to the dried kernels of this plant, has long been indigenously used as a spice in many Western foods. Our research on chemical constituents and biological activity of nutmeg identified six main constituents and nectandrin B as 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activator. However, because an ingestion of 1–2 mg myristicin/kg body weight causes severe intoxications and psychiatric effects, the use of nutmeg extract for development as functional food was hampered. Thus, simple processing procedure for reducing myristicin content in this extract was studied for it to be used as a functional food of this extract for the treatment of metabolic syndrome containing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Published Version
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