Inhibition of rat liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition and lipid peroxidation by seeds extracts of Myristica fragrans Houtt.

Myristica fragrans Houtt. seed commonly known as “nutmeg” is used in ethnomedical of practice as phytotherapy in the management of degenerative diseases. This study was designed to investigate the effects aqueous and dichloromethane extracts of M. fragrans seeds on calcium ion-induced rat liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MMPT) and lipid peroxidation. Results indicated that 50, 150 and 300 μg/mL aqueous extract of M. fragrans seeds had a significantly (P<0.05) higher inhibition property of Ca²⁺-induced MMPT than dichloromethane extract in a concentration-dependent manner. Aqueous extract inhibited Ca²⁺-induced MMPT by 60.18±2.51% and 75±0.01% while dichloromethane inhibited Ca²⁺-induced MMPT by 51.85±1.27% and 72.68±0.01% as minimal and maximal effects, respectively. Furthermore, 1 mg/mL aqueous extract of M. fragrans seed (92.19%) exhibited a significantly (P<0.01) higher inhibition of Fe²⁺-H₂O₂ EDTAinduced mitochondrial membrane lipid peroxidation than 1 mg/mL dichloromethane extract of M. fragrans seed (15.95%). Our results indicated that the aqueous extract of M. fragrans seeds exhibited a higher mitochondrial membrane protection effect against free radical elicited damage than dichloromethane extract of M. fragrans seeds. In addition, these findings provide scientific insight for the ethnomedical use of M. fragrans seed decoction as phytotherapy in the management of degenerative diseases.