Nutmeg is a popular spice that is not only used in savoury dishes but also in bakery items for the aroma and flavour it gives. These days, nutmeg has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic effects in managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A new study indicated that nutmeg-derived oils have strong anti-inflammatory qualities that may help reduce rheumatoid arthritis joint discomfort and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (ongoing) autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the lining of the joints (synovium). It most commonly affects the joints in your fingers, hands, wrists, knees, ankles, feet, and toes.
Uncontrolled inflammation damages cartilage, which normally acts as a “shock absorber” in your joints. In time, this can deform your joints. Eventually, your bone itself erodes. This can lead to the fusion of the joint(s).
Specific cells in the immune system, the body’s infection-fighting system, aid this process. These substances are produced in the joints but also circulate and cause symptoms throughout the body. In addition to affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis sometimes affects other parts of the body, including the knees, elbows, feet, and jaw.
Exploring alternative solutions that offer potent anti-inflammatory characteristics without the risks connected with typical drugs is becoming more popular due to the drawbacks and negative consequences of conventional treatments.
Myristica fragrans, commonly known as nutmeg, is a constituent of medicines used to treat dysentery, flatulence, stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, rheumatism, malaria, and the early stages of leprosy.
Nutmeg oil has been reported to contain pharmacologically active compounds with aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.
For the study, the researchers tested oils extracted from nutmeg for their potential anti-rheumatic benefits in rats. Also, they had a detailed analysis of the oils extracted from nutmeg (mace and seed) to understand the components responsible for the observed therapeutic effects.
According to a study published in the King Saud University Journal, nutmeg oil (mace and seed) has strong anti-inflammatory qualities that may help treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
In a rat model test, its oil significantly reduced inflammation, indicating that the essential oils’ chemical makeup may contribute to their therapeutic benefits.
The constituents of the oil also exhibited compliance with drug-likeness, bioavailability, and ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) parameters, indicating their potential safety for therapeutic use.
According to the research, essential oils from Myristica fragrans may be used as a supplemental or natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, thereby lowering the need for harsh side effects associated with traditional medications.
Significant antioxidant activity was demonstrated by the essential oils, which are important in preventing oxidative stress linked to rheumatoid arthritis. This opens the door to the development of new herbal supplements or treatments that are safer and easier for RA patients to tolerate.
Although nutmeg oils’ antioxidant properties appear promising, it is difficult to compare their effectiveness with traditional rheumatoid arthritis treatments. While traditional therapies have been thoroughly researched and proven to be effective in treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, they might not offer as much defence against oxidative stress as nutmeg.
By offering extra antioxidant support, the essential oils may be able to supplement traditional therapies and improve overall therapy results.
While conventional therapies are effective in managing inflammation and pain, the antioxidant properties of nutmeg could provide additional benefits in reducing oxidative stress and protecting joint health.
In the journal Chemistry & Biodiversity, researchers reported that nutmeg oil also has the potential for gouty arthritis. It reduced swelling and redness at joint sites in mice with gouty arthritis.
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This study, which investigated whether Citronella essential oil and Nutmeg essential oil (NEO) can ameliorate gouty arthritis in rats and the potential mechanisms, claimed that these two essential oils show potential for use as adjuvant treatments for gouty arthritis (another type of arthritis) in specific aromatherapy products or food seasonings.
To completely comprehend the relative effectiveness and possible synergistic effects of these medications in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, more research is necessary. Its interactions with contemporary medications and related toxicities also call for vigilance when used in combination to define safe dosage parameters and elucidate these concerns.
Myristicin and eugenol are two of the phytochemicals found in nutmeg oil that may interact with drug metabolism to change the safety and effectiveness of other medications taken at the same time. Its analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities may intensify or disrupt the effects of anti-inflammatory medications, producing unpredicted results.
Concerns over nutmeg’s long-term use in conjunction with medications that impact liver and kidney function have been raised by high doses of the spice being associated with toxicity to the liver and kidneys. Additionally, nutmeg’s hallucinogenic qualities can be dangerous, especially when taken with medications that affect the central nervous system, as they may intensify adverse effects or cause toxicity.
