Poster Presenter

Tetrahydrofuran Type-Lignans from Myristica Fragrans (nutmeg) as AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activators.
Oh W.K., Nguyen P.H. Van Thu Le T.
South Korea

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been considered as a therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndrome including obesity and type-2 diabetes. In our program to search new AMPK activators from plants, we found that a total extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) activated AMPK enzyme in differentiated C2C12 cells. As the active constituents, seven 2,5-bis-aryl-3,4-dimethyltetrahydrofuran lignans, tetrahydrofuroguaiacin B (1), saucernetindiol (2), verrucosin (3), nectandrin B (4), nectandrin A (5), fragransin C1 (6) and galbacin (7) were isolated from this extract. Among isolates, compounds 1, 4 and 5 showed a strong stimulation on AMPK enzyme. Finally, the processing conditions for preparing extract containing active ingredients on AMPK from nutmeg were studied. Because myristicin as principal aromatic constituent of Myristica fragrans causes severe psychopharmacological effects by overdose intake in human, process for reducing its contents in active ingredients were also suggested.