In vitro and in vivo metabolism of myristicin in the rat.

Myristicin [5-allyl-1-methoxy-2,3-(methylenedioxy)benzene] is a flavoring plant constituent and has been known to produce significant psychopharmacological responses as well as insecticidal activity. From in vitro and in vivo metabolism of myristicin, the two metabolites 5-allyl-1-methoxy-2,3-dihydroxybenzene and 1'-hydroxymyristicin were identified using GC-MS after derivatization of sample matrices with a mixture of BSTFA-TMCS. Those metabolites from in vitro study were also confirmed in urine after an oral administration of myrisitcin to rats, and enzymatic hydrolysis of urine suggested that these metabolites were excreted as conjugated forms as well.