Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the blood glucose level (
p
< 0.001). Acute toxicity studies indicated that the extract was relatively
safe at low doses; although some adverse reactions were observed at higher doses (8-32 mg/kg
body weight), no death was recorded. Furthermore, oral administration of
M. pruriens
seed extract
also significantly reduced the weight loss associated with diabetes.
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In another study, the effect of
ethanolic seed extract of
M. pruriens
on mitochondrial dysfunction and the DNA damage in hyper-
glycemic rat epididymal spermatozoa was investigated.
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Significant reduction in the sperm count,
motility, and viability and a significant increase in the number of abnormal sperm in STZ compared
to the control group was observed. STZ rat sperm showed a significant increase in lipid peroxida-
tion (LPO) and DNA damage. Both the enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants were decreased;
mitochondiral membrane potential (MMP) and the mitochondrial functions were severely affected
in STZ group. The diabetic rats supplemented with
M. pruriens
showed a remarkable recovery in
antioxidant levels and reduced LPO with well-preserved sperm DNA. The MMP and mitochon-
drial function test were also preserved in STZ plus
Mucuna pruriens
(MP) rat sperm. The findings
clearly demonstrated the potency of
M. pruriens
to reduce the diabetic-induced sperm damage
induced by oxidative stress. It is inferred from these results that a similar mechanism may account
for the effect of
Mucuna
in humans.
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Agriculture —
Propagation of
Mucuna pruriens
is mostly by seed. The seed requires no scari-
fication, but dry seed requires soaking in water for 24 h. The germination rate of fresh seed is
90-100%, declining with time. Seed stored in a cool dry place remained viable for about 2 years,
but seed stored in a sealed jar for 3 months lost its viability. Germination takes 4-7 days. It is cul-
tivated more for its soil fertility benefits than as a medicinal plant. In India and other parts of Asia,
the plant is cultivated commercially.
Commerce —
Mucuna
is a major commodity in international medicinal plant trade, but it is
neither cultivated on a large scale nor exported in any significant manner in the continent. Annual
world seed production has been estimated to be 900,000 t. Small quantities exported from Cameroon
in 2011 were sold at US$2.5 per kg.
MYRISTICA FRAGRANS
Botanical Name —
Myristica fragrans
Houtt.
Synonyms —
M. moschata., M. officinalis
L.
Family —
Myristiaceae
Common Names —
Nutmeg tree, muscadier (Fr.)
African Names —
Arabic: goz el-tieb; Igbo: ehuru; Swahili; kungu; Yoruba: abolakose, ariwo
Description —
Nutmeg is the dried kernel of the seed, while mace is the dried outer covering
or aril.
Myristica fragrans
is a dioecious evergreen tree, growing up to 60 feet, but most are about
40 feet high, with grayish-black bark, which is longitudinally fissured in old trees. The leaves are
elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, and coriaceous, and the flowers occur as umbellate cymes. The yellow
fruits, with fleshy pericarp, are 6 to 9 cm long, glabrous, and usually drooping. The seeds are pale
brown, about 3 cm long and 2 cm broad, with a reticulate surface patterned with grooves, lines, and
specks. The seed has a characteristic aroma and bitter taste.
Habitat and Distribution —
It grows in humid tropical forest regions and is widely cultivated
throughout the continent.
Ethnomedicinal Uses —
The essential oil is used as a carminative and applied externally for
rheumatism.
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It is used in soaps as a postpartum medication.
Constituents —
Nutmeg contains about 10% volatile oil composed of linene and camphene as the
major constituents, and the minor constituents include myristicin, safrole, elemicin, terpeneol, cymene,
α-thujene, γ-terpinene, linalool, eugenol, isoeugenol, methyleugenol, and several minor terpenoids. The
plant also yields up to 40% fixed oil, proteins, and diarypropanoids, as well as elimicin and safrol.
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