Publication:

In vitro study of Myristica fragrans seed (Nutmeg) ethanolic extract and quercetin compound as anti-inflammatory agent

Background Inflammation is one of an important biological response toward injury. Cytokine and mediator are produced by macrophage during the inflammatory process. Anti-inflammatory is important to treat the dangerous of chronic inflammation associated with chronic disease. Various plants and their derived compounds have been used in the treatment of inflammation including Myristica fragrans. The present study was designed to determine anti-inflammatory potential of M. fragrans seed  (Nutmeg) ethanolic extract and pure quercetin extract from M. fragrans on LPS stimulated-murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7).

Methods Cell viability assay to evaluate the non toxic concentration in cell line was performed by MTS assay. The anti-inflammatory potential was assayed through the inhibitory activity of M. fragrans seed extract and quercetin on NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production.

Results The lowest cytotoxic activity and safe substance on RAW 264.7 cell were 50 and 10 µg/mL concentration of the M. fragrans seed ethanolic extract and quercetin compound. M. fragrans dose-dependently inhibited NO, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β production on LPS stimulated-RAW 264.7. The 50 µg/mL of M. fragrans seed ethanolic extract showed the highest TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and nitrite-associated with NO inhibitory activity.

Conclusions This research suggested that M. fragrans seed extract and quercetin compound possess the anti-inflammatory potential showed through the inhibition of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and NO secretion.