By  Dr. P. K. Srivastava  


Hypolipidaemic and antiatherosclerotic study of Myristica fregrans In experimantally induced Hyperlipidaemic Albino Rabbits.

The study was carried out (under supervision of Dr. V.N. Sharma, Emeritus Professor, S.M.S. Medical College Jaipur,Rajasthan).By

Dr. Pradeep Kumar,
M.D. (Ayur).,
Ex. J.R.F.,D.S.T.Project

The Project was granted by Daptt. Of Science and Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.


Rabbits of known strain (White Giant) was selected for study.The standared drug selected for comparison was used Gemfibrozil.

The Atherogenic diet and cholesterol power induced marked hyperlipidaemia in rabbits after 3o days.

Even after withdrawing the athero. diet and cholesterol, for 60 days, lipid profile was reduced only upto 35 to 50 %. These levels still remained raised significantly as compared to the normal initial values.

Saturated fatty acids present in athero. diet produced downregulation of LDL- recepters as reported in the literature. Withdrawal of this diet for 60 days seems to reduce this downregulation but not sufficient enough to bring the lipid levels to the normal values. These still remained significantly raisrd.

From the available literature, the point emerges that hypolipidaemic drug should be given only after dietary control trial.However,it seems that if the drug is concurrently added to the therapeutic regimen alongwith dietary control, the results will be achieved more effectively and promptly.

The 50% ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans(Fruit) was prepared by soxhalation, dried in oven at 40 degree C. the extract received was 19.01%.

This extract, when used in the dose of 500mg. with normal diet, Twice a day, produced marked hypolipidaemia.

M.fragrans fruit decreased Tatal Cholesterol by 63%, LDL_Cholesterol by 73.42%, Triglyceride by 37.72% while it produce incremant in HDL-Cholesterol by 9.85%,as compared to their levels after withdrawal of atherogenic diet & cholesterol.

Gemfibrozil when used in the dose of 25mg/kg. b.wt. once a day with normal diet, also showed hypolipidaemic activity. It reduced T. cholesterol by 69.85%, LDL-Cholesterol by 75.75%, triglyceride by 7.26%. while it produce decrement in HDL-Cholesterol by 43.67%. In this connection we have got M.fragrans as a good drug which is capable to increase good cholesterol(HDL_Cholesterol).

The reduction of LDL\HDL cholesterol ratio is considered of great importance. According to our observations, this ratio was markedly reduced by Myristica fragrans as compared to Gemfibrozil.

The Histological studies were undertaken to see changes , if any, in heart, coronaries, abdominal aorta, liver and kidney. In experimentally induced hyperlipidaemic Rabbits,in the withdrawal group as well as after treatment with Myristica fragrans extract and gemfibrozil.

Myrestica fragrans showed good protective effect in all these tissues, nearly similar to gemfibrozil.

The biological & haematological parameters did not show any adverse effect after drug administration.

Myristica fragrans produce nonsignificant reduction in heart cholesterol(p=ns) as compared to withdrawal of athero- diet and cholesterol for 60 days group, but it reduce Total cholesterol markedly (p= 0.001) in Liver,as compared to withdrawal group.

Gemfibrozil also showed the same results.

Total cholesterol in faeces was also studied. Myristica fragrans increase the excretion of tatal cholesterol in faeces (p= 0.001) when compared to its initial values Gemfibrozil also increase T. Cholesterol excretion significantly through faeces, but it was less then Myristica fragrans

No adverse effect was observed in albino mice in acute toxicity studies upto 4 & 8 times of “test dose” as observed upto 48 hours.

Possible Mechanism:-
Myristica fragrans produced marked reduction in liver cholesterol and increased cholesterol excretion in faeces. It also showed platelet anti- aggregatory effect (60.98%). It also contain pectin(antioxidant) and niacin(hypolipidaemic).

Myristica fragrans showed good protection against plaque formation. Hence it warrants clinical trials as it is very effective as well as safe.

Results and conclusion:-
Myristica fragrans seems much safe and efficacious as compared to the modern drug- Gemfibrozil. Clinical trials are require.