Antispasmodic effect of Myristica fragrance

Myristica fragrans, family Myristicaceae (Nutmeg) is the dried kernel of seed and mace. It is one of the important ingredients of Herbal antidiarrhoeal formulations. Effect of aqueous extract of Myristica fragrans was investigated on spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum and contractions induced by acetyl choline, nicotine, and histamine in isolated guinea pig ileum. Myristica fragrans produced relaxation of guinea pig ileum and decreased acetyl choline and histamine induced contraction while stimulant effect of nicotine on isolated guinea pig ileum was not significantly changed by Myristica fragrans. It can be concluded that Myristica fragrans produced antispasmodic effect, may be through muscarinic and histamine receptors but not via nicotinic receptors.