Prostaglandins, Nutmeg and Diarrhea

Abstract
To the Editor: Since nutmeg might relieve diarrhea induced by prostaglandins (PGs),1 we studied ground whole nutmeg on rat isolated gastric fundus muscle (Krebs solution, 37°C, 5 per cent carbon dioxide in oxygen) and on PC synthesis by human colon. Nutmeg, 20 to 500 μg per milliliter, produced graded inhibition (20 to 100 per cent) of contraction of rat fundus strips to PGE2, acetylcholine. 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine (four experiments). Nutmeg, 20 and 100 μg per milliliter, had little effect on the tone of the tissue, but 0.2 to 2 mg per milliliter usually tended to cause a reduction. . . .