Objective: To study the effect of the volatile oil from nutmeg on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 in mice.
Method: Mice were administered the volatile oil from nutmeg at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg x g(-1), respectively, twice a day for 10 days. And then, the contents of liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP), cytochrome b5 (Cytb5), MDA and GST in serum were examined by UV chromatography method.
Result: The contents of liver CYP, Cytb5 and GST in serum were increased significantly (P < 0.01) and the contents of MDA was reduced significantly (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The volatile oil from nutmeg showed induction effect on the hepatic microsomal CYP in mice.