Bioactivities of Methanol and Ethyl Acetate Mace Extracts of Myristica fragrans Houtt

Introduction: Myristica fragrans Houtt is used as a spice in Indonesia. This study aimed to scientifically validate the traditional use of mace from M. fragrans. Methods: The mace was extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate, and the chemical composition was analysed by GC–MS. The extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against seven different bacteria based on a well diffusion method, their antioxidant activities based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro. Results: Four major components were identified from both extracts: sabinene, methoxyeugenol, myristicin, and elemicin. The methanol extract (ME) had higher methoxyeugenol, myristicin and elimisin levels, whereas sabinene was dominant in ethyl acetate extract (EAE). Both extracts showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus only. Both extracts showed good antioxidant activities, in which EAE showed stronger activity than ME (IC₅₀ 94 μg GAE/ml and IC₅₀ 162 μg GAE/ml, respectively). Furthermore, both extracts inhibited α-glucosidase more strongly than the standard acarbose, in which ME (IC₅₀ 7.50 μg GAE/ml) exhibited stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity than EAE (IC₅₀ 10.65 μg GAE/ml). Conclusion: The results suggest that ME and EAE of M. fragrans have biological activities with high potential for pharmacological uses.