Abstract
Background: Myristica fragrans Houtt is a medicinal food plant of the family Myristicaceae. Previous phytochemical investigation of its seed kernel known as nutmeg led to the isolation of antibacterial flavonoid, 3’,4’,7-trihydroxyflavone. The present study thus aimed to identify further antibacterials of the crude methanol extract from nutmeg.
Methods: The modified rapid p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric assay was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) on the tested bacteria. Column chromatography was used for the purification of the seed kernel extract whilst the structures of compounds were determined by MS and NMR analysis.
Results: The chemical study of the methanol extract led to the identification of already described saponin (1), mixture of succinic (2A) and fumaric (2B) acids and tetramethylhexestrol (3). Among the isolated compounds, the mixture of acids 2A and 2B showed the most interesting activity with the lowest MIC of 8 µg/mL against E. coli ATCC8739.
Conclusions: Nutmeg contains various phytochemicals that can be used to combat bacterial infections including multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotypes.
Keywords: Antibacterial; Compounds; multidrug resistant; Myristica fragrans; Myristicaceae.
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