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Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans
Preetee Jaiswal, Pradeep Kumar, Vinay K Singh, Dinesh K Singh*
Department of Zoology, DDU Gorakhpur University, INDIA
Received: 03 August 2009; accepted 09 December 2009
Online on 20 December 2009
Abstract
Jaiswal P, Kumar P, Singh VK, Singh DK. Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans. Annu Rev Biomed Sci
2009;11:21-29. Myristica fragrans is an evergreen tree that produces two spices, nutmeg and mace. Its
medicinal uses in the aurvedic system of treatment are based on traditional experience inherited from one
generation to other. Scientists from various disciplines are now directing their research towards investigat-
ing the effects of M. fragrans on human health. The chemical constituents of M. fragrans have been
investigated for hypolipidaemic and hypocholesterolemic effects, antimicrobial, antidepressant, aphrodi-
siac, memory enhancing, antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Recent studies have revealed strong
insecticidal and molluscicidal activities of M. fragrans. Despite some laboratory studies on the insecti-
cidal / molluscicidal activity of M. fragrans, more field studies are recommended for effective control of
pests. It is clearly evident from the literature review that M. fragrans deserves more attention by scientific
community and public health specialists to explore its full range of benefits in the welfare of the society.
© by São Paulo State University – ISSN 1806-8774
Keywords: Myristica fragrans, nutmeg, mace, antimicrobial, antioxidant, pesticidal
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Distribution
1.2. Pharmacologically active parts of the plant
2. Chemical Composition
3. Biological Effects
3.1. Antimicrobial activity
3.2. Hypolipidaemic and hypocholesterolemic effect
3.3. Antidepressant activity
3.4. Antidiabetic activity
3.5. Aphrodisiac activity
3.6. Cytotoxicity
*Correspondence
Dinesh K Singh. Reader, Department of Zoology, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur-273 009, UP, India.
E-mail: dksingh_gpu@yahoo.co.in
ARBS Annual Review of Biomedical Sciences
pdf freely available at http://arbs.biblioteca.unesp.br
2009;11:21-29
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5016/1806-8774.2009v11p21
22 http://arbs.biblioteca.unesp.br ARBS Annu Rev Biomed Sci 2009;11:21-29
3.7. Memory enhancing activity
3.8. Antioxidant activity
3.9. Hepatoprotective activity
3.10. Pesticidal activity
3.10.1. Insecticidal
3.10.2. Molluscicidal
3.11. Clinical effects
4. Conclusion
5. References
1. Introduction
Myristica fragrans Houtt., commonly known as Jaiphal and Javitri in India, belongs to the
family Myristicaceae. It produces two spices, nutmeg and mace. Nutmeg is the seed kernel inside the
fruit and mace is the fleshy red, net like skin covering (aril) on the kernel. It is a spreading aromatic
evergreen tree usually growing to 5 to 13 metres high, occasionally 20 metres. The pointed dark green
leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and are borne on leaf stems about 1 cm long. Upper
leaf surfaces are shiny. Flowers are usually single sexed; occasionally male and female flowers are
found on the same tree. Female flowers arise in groups of 1 to 3; males in groups of 1 to 10. Flowers are
pale yellow, waxy, fleshy and bell-shaped. The fruits are fleshy, drooping, yellow, smooth, 6 to 9 cm
long with a longitudinal ridge. When ripe, the succulent yellow fruit coat splits into 2 valves revealing
a purplish-brown, shiny seed (nutmeg) surrounded by a red aril (mace). Seeds (nutmegs) are broadly
ovoid (2 to 3 cm long), firm, fleshy, whitish and transversed by red-brown veins. When fresh, the aril
(mace) is bright scarlet becoming more horny, brittle and a yellowish-brown colour when dried
(Purseglove, 1968). The trees do not give flowers until around 9 years old, but once start flowering they
continue to do so for further 75 years. The trees bear 2 to 3 crops a year. The seeds (nutmegs) need 3
to 6 weeks to dry before they are ready for use.
1.1. Distribution
Indigenous to the Moluccas and Banda Islands in the South Pacific, it is seldom found truly
wild. It is now cultivated in tropical regions, especially in Indonesia, Grenada in the West Indies and
Sri Lanka (Purseglove, 1968; Bown, 1995).
1.2. Pharmacologically active parts of the plant
The most important part of the plant in terms of its pharmacological activity and also in
commerce, is of course the dried kernel (seed), the nutmeg. Intoxication from the use of the aril of the
fruit (seed case), generally known as mace, has also been reported, but only rarely. The oil of nutmeg
has also been used for medicinal purposes and it is this fraction of the nutmeg which contains the
pharmacologically active components. It is used as a spice in various dishes, as components of tea and
soft drinks or mixed in milk and alcohol. In traditional medicine nutmeg is sometimes used as a stomachic,
stimulant, carminative as well as for intestinal catarrh and colic, to stimulate appetite, to control flatulence
and it has a reputation as an emmenagogue and abortifacient (Nadkarni, 1988). Mace is widely used as
a flavouring agent, a hair dye and a folk medicine. It also possesses antipapillomagenic, anticarcinogenic
(Hussain & Rao, 1991) and anti-inflammatory activities (Ozaki et al., 1989).
2. Chemical Composition
The main constituents of M. fragrans have been found to be alkyl benzene derivatives (myristicin,
elemicin, safrole etc.), terpenes, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myristic acid and trimyristin (Qiu et al.,
2004; Wang et al., 2004; Forrester, 2005; Yang et al., 2008). Nutmeg contains about 10% essential oil,
which is mostly composed of terpene hydrocarbons (sabinene and pinenes; furthermore camphene, p-
cymene, phellandrene, terpinene, limonene, myrcene, together 60 to 80%), terpene derivatives (linalool,
Jaiswal P et al. - Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans 23
geraniol, terpineol, together 5 to 15%) and phenylpropanoids (myristicin, elemicin, safrole, eugenol
and eugenol derivatives, together 15 to 20%). Of the latter group, myristicin (methoxy-safrole, typically
4%) is responsible for the hallucinogenic effect of nutmeg. Oil of mace (up to 12% in the spice) contains
the same aroma components but the total fraction of terpenoids is increased to almost 90%. Both nutmeg
and mace contain about 2% of lignans (diarylpropanoids), which are non volatile dimers of
phenylpropanoid constituents of the essential oil, e.g. dehydrodiisoeugenol (Anonymous, 1995). The
main glycoside is trimyristin having anxiogenic activity (Sonavane et al., 2002).
3. Biological Effects
In India, spices have been traditionally used since ancient times, for the preservation of food
products as they have been reported to have antiseptic and disinfectant properties (De et al., 1999). In
the traditional Indian medical science of Ayurveda, nutmeg is said to possess antidiarrhoeal activity.
Both nutmeg and mace are used as condiment and in medicine (Nadkarni, 1988). Nutmeg is stimulant,
carminative, astringent and aphrodisiac; it is used in tonics and electuaries and forms a constituent of
preparations prescribed for dysentery, stomach ache, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, malaria, rheumatism,
sciatica and early stages of leprosy. Excessive doses have a narcotic effect; symptoms of delirium and
epileptic convulsions appear after 1-6 hours (Anonymous, 1995; Hang & Yang, 2007). It is widely
believed that myristicin is the major component responsible for intoxications (Hallstrom & Thuvander,
1997). Myristicin is toxic when ingested in large amounts, and it is liable to cause fatty degeneration of
the liver (Anonymous, 1995; Beyer et al., 2006). Lee et al. (2005) have reported that myristicin (1-
allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene), a naturally occurring allylbenzene found in nutmeg
induces cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by an apoptotic mechanism. Trimyristin
shows anxiogenic activity (Sonavane et al., 2002). Trimyristin and myristicin isolated from M. fragrans
seeds exhibit good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Narasimhan
& Dhake, 2006).
Grover et al. (2002) have studied the pharmacological effects of nutmeg and found that the
extracts of nutmeg show a good antidiarrhoeal effect, with a significant sedative property. The extracts
also possess a weak analgesic effect, with no harmful effects on blood pressure and ECG. Jan et al.
(2005) have evaluated the effects of extract of M. fragrans and verapamil on the volume and acidity of
carbachol induced gastric secretion in fasting rabbits. It has been found that the extract from M. fragrans
which contains documented natural calcium channel blocker reduces the volume, free and total acidity
of gastric secretion. Verapamil also has the same effects. Thus, the effect of M. fragrans is similar to
verapamil and therefore it can be effectively used in the treatment of peptic ulcer and all other conditions
that require calcium channel blockers for the treatment of these disorders.
3.1. Antimicrobial activity
M. fragrans (nutmeg and mace) is known to exhibit strong antimicrobial activity against animal
and plant pathogens, food poisoning and spoilage bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi and Helicobacter pylori (Orabi et al.,
1991; De et al., 1999; Dorman & Deans, 2000; Rani & Khullar, 2004; Mahady et al., 2005; O’Mahony
et al., 2005). Alcoholic extracts of nutmeg show anti-bacterial activity against Micrococcus pyogens
var. aureus (Anonymous, 1995). Essential oil of nutmeg caused a significant inhibition of growth and
survival of Yersinia enterocolitica and Listeria monocytogenes in broth culture and in Iranian barbecued
chicken (Firouzi et al., 2007).
Takikawa et al. (2002) have reported the antimicrobial activity of nutmeg (seeds of M. fragrans)
extract against Escherichia coli O157. When the E. coli strains are incubated with spice extract at
concentrations of 0.01% and 0.1%, a noteworthy difference has been observed between the O157 E.
coli and non-pathogenic E. coli strains to their tolerance to nutmeg. The populations of the non-pathogenic
strains can not be reduced, but those of the O157 strains are remarkably reduced. Antibacterial activity
of nutmeg extract was also found against the enteropathogenic E. coli O111, but not against
enterotoxigenic (O6 and O148) and enteroinvasive (O29 and O124) E. coli. When they have examined
24 http://arbs.biblioteca.unesp.br ARBS Annu Rev Biomed Sci 2009;11:21-29
the antibacterial effect of volatile oils of nutmeg on the O157 and non-pathogenic E. coli strains, all
O157 strains tested were found to be more sensitive to beta-pinene than non-pathogenic E. coli strains.
Aqueous extract of nutmeg has bactericidal activity against Helicobacter pylori (O’Mahony et al.,
2005). H. pylori infections are associated with the development of gastritis, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer
disease, gastric carcinoma and primary gastric B-cell lymphoma. Mahady et al. (2005) have studied the
in vitro susceptibility of 15 H. pylori strains to botanical extracts. It has been found that methanol
extract of M. fragrans (seed), having a MIC of 12.5 µg/ml against H. pylori strains, is highly effective
in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Rani and Khullar (2004) have reported strong antibacterial
activity of methanol extract of M. fragrans against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi. Nutmeg has
potent antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536)
and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9763) (De et al., 1999). The volatile oils of M. fragrans exhibit
considerable inhibitory effects against different genera of bacteria including animal and plant pathogens,
food poisoning and spoilage bacteria (Dorman & Deans, 2000). At 35°C, food-borne pathogen, Listeria
monocytogenes is extremely sensitive to the oil of nutmeg (Smith-Palmer et al., 1998). The two
antimicrobial resorcinols malabaricone B [1] and malabaricone C [2] isolated from mace have been
reported to exhibit strong antifungal and antibacterial activities (Orabi et al., 1991). Malabaricone C
isolated from M. fragrans (nutmeg) irreversibly inhibits Arg-gingipain by 50% at a concentration of 0.7
µg/ml and selectively suppressed Porphyromomas gingivalis growth (Shinohara et al., 1999). Macelignan
isolated from M. fragrans is a potent natural anti-biofilm agent against oral primary colonizers
Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus. These colonizers initially attached to the pellicle-
coated tooth surface to form a biofilm. Treatment with 10µg/ml of macelignan caused 30% reduction in
growth of these colonies within 5 minute (Yanti et al., 2008). Cho et al. (2007) have isolated three
lignans erythro-austrobailignan-6, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid and nectandrin-B from M. fragrans seeds.
These lignans were effective against Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum coccodes, C. gloeosporioides,
Magnaporthe grisea, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Acidovorax konjaci and Burkholderia glumae in in
vivo and in vitro conditions.
Rotaviruses have been recognized as the major agents of diarrhoea in infants and young children
in developed as well as developing countries. Goncalves et al. (2005) have studied in vitro anti-rotavirus
activity of some medicinal plants used in Brazil against diarrhoea. It was found that the extracts from
M. fragrans seeds inhibited human rotavirus (90% inhibition) at concentration of 160 µg/ml. Thus M.
fragrans can be useful in the treatment of human diarrhea, if the etiologic agent is a rotavirus.
3.2. Hypolipidaemic and hypocholesterolemic effect
The ethanolic extract of M. fragrans (nutmeg) shows hypolipidaemic effect on experimentally
induced hyperlipidaemia in albino rabbits. Ram et al. (1996) have reported that an oral administration
of nutmeg extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight to hyperlipidaemic albino rabbits for 60 days
significantly reduced the lipoprotein lipids level. Sharma et al. (1995) have reported that administration
of M. fragrans seed extract to hypercholesterolemic rabbits reduced serum cholesterol and LDL
cholesterol by 69.1 and 76.3%, respectively and also lowered cholesterol/phospholipid ratio by 31.2%
and elevated the decreased HDL-ratio significantly. It is also known to prevent the accumulation of
cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in liver, heart and aorta and dissolves atheromatous plaques
of aorta by 70.9-76.5%. Removal of cholesterol and phospholipids in fecal matter is significantly increased
in rabbits fed with seed extract of M. fragrans.
3.3. Antidepressant activity
Dhingra and Sharma (2006) determined the antidepressant activity of n-hexane extract of M.
fragrans seeds in mice using the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) at three dose
level 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body weight. The 10 mg/kg dose was found to be most potent, as indicated by
the highest decrease in the immobility period compared with the control. Furthermore, this dose of the
extract was found to have comparable potency to imipramine (15 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg).
Thus, the extract of M. fragrans is capable to elicit a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice,
when assessed by both TST and FST. The antidepressant-like effect of the extract seems to be mediated
by interaction with the adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.
Jaiswal P et al. - Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans 25
3.4. Antidiabetic activity
Macelignan is a natural compound isolated from M. fragrans. It enhanced the insulin sensitivity
and improved lipid metabolic disorders by activating peroxisome proliferator receptor (PPAR, á/ã) and
attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress, suggesting that it is an antidiabetic agent for the treatment of
type 2 diabetes (Han et al., 2008).
3.5. Aphrodisiac activity
In Unani medicine, M. fragrans (nutmeg) has been mentioned to be of value in the management
of male sexual disorders. In an experimental study, Tajuddin et al. (2005) have found that the oral
administration of 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg at 500 mg/kg body weight produces a significant and
sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats without any conspicuous adverse effects,
which might be attributed to its nerve stimulating property.
3.6. Cytotoxicity
Lee et al. (2005) have reported that myristicin (1-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene),
a naturally occurring alkyl benzene derivative found in nutmeg induces cytotoxicity in human
neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by an apoptotic mechanism. It was observed that a dose-dependent
reduction in cell viability occurred at myristicin concentration > or =0.5 mM in SK-N-SH cells. The
apoptosis triggered by myristicin was accompanied by an accumulation of cytochrome-c and by the
activation of caspase-3. Chirathaworn et al. (2007) observed that the methanolic extract of M. fragrans,
even 10 µg/ml, induces apoptosis of Jurkat leukemia T cell line through SIRT1 mRNA down regulation.
3.7. Memory enhancing activity
Parle et al. (2004) have investigated the effect of M. fragrans seeds on learning capabilities and
memory level in mice. The learning and memory parameters were assessed using elevated plus-maze
and passive-avoidance apparatus. Administration of the n-hexane extract of M. fragrans at the lowest
dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for 3 successive days significantly improved the learning and memory
level of young and aged mice. The extract also reversed scopolamine and diazepam-induced impairment
in learning and memory of young mice. The observed memory enhancing effect of M. fragrans may be
attributed to a variety of properties (individually or in combination) such as antioxidant, anti-
inflammatory, or perhaps procholinergic activity.
3.8. Antioxidant activity
Murcia et al. (2004) have evaluated the antioxidant properties of some spices and compared
with those of the common food antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (E-320), butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT) (E-321) and propyl gallate (E-310). Nutmeg, anise and licorice showed the
strongest protection in the deoxyribose assay. Nutmeg, propyl gallate, ginger and licorice improved the
stability of oils (sunflower, corn, and olive) and fats (butter and margarine) against oxidation (110°C).
When the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay was used to provide a ranking order of
antioxidant activity, the antioxidant capacity of nutmeg was found to be higher than BHT. Murcia et al.
(2004) reported that phenylpropanoid compound extracts from nutmeg possessed antioxidant activity.
Recently Checker et al. (2008) observed that lignans present in aqueous extract of fresh nutmeg mace
possess antioxidant, radioprotective and immunomodulatory effects in mammalian cells. High antioxidant
activity has been reported in monoterpenoid rich extracts such as terpinene-4-ol, alpha-terpineol and 4-
allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol in nutmeg seed (Maeda et al., 2008).
Yadav and Bhatnagar (2007) reported that aril part of M. fragrans have significant antioxidant
activity due to its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical scavenging activity in rat.
Pretreatment with M. fragrans effectively protects the mice against radiation-induced biochemical
alterations as evident by decrease in lipid peroxidation level and acid phosphatase activity and
simultaneous increase in hepatic glutathione and alkaline phosphatase activity (Sharma & Kumar, 2007).
26 http://arbs.biblioteca.unesp.br ARBS Annu Rev Biomed Sci 2009;11:21-29
3.9. Hepatoprotective activity
Morita et al. (2003) have reported that myristicin from M. fragrans (nutmeg) possessed most
potent hepatoprotective activity to rats with liver damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus
D-galactosamine (D-GalN). It was also found that myristicin markedly suppressed LPS/D-GalN-induced
enhancement of serum TNF-alpha concentrations and hepatic DNA fragmentation in mice. These
findings suggest that the hepatoprotective activity of myristicin may be, at least in part, due to the
inhibition of TNF-alpha release from macrophages. Sohn et al. (2008) observed that the hepatoprotective
effects of macelignan, isolated from M. fragrans is related to activation of the mitogen activated
protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, especially JNK and c-Jun.
3.10. Pesticidal activity
3.10.1. Insecticidal
Jung et al. (2007) have reported the insecticidal properties of M. fragrans seed compounds
against adult females of Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae). Myristicin present in the kernel
may be employed as an additive to pyrethrum to enhance the toxicity of the latter to houseflies, although
myristicin itself is inactive (Anonymous, 1995). The aqueous decoctions of M. fragrans have been
found to be toxic to cockroaches (Anonymous, 1995). Essential oil of M. fragrans has insecticidal
activity against larvae of Lycoriella ingenua (Park et al., 2008) and Callosobruchus chinensis (Chaubey,
2008).
3.10.2. Molluscicidal
Jaiswal and Singh (2009) reported that M. fragrans seed and aril i.e., nutmeg and mace are
potential source of botanical molluscicides against Lymnaea acuminata. These snails are the intermediate
host of liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, which causes 94% fascioliasis in the buffalo’s
population of northern India (Singh & Agarwal, 1981; Singh & Agarwal, 1983). The active molluscicidal
components of nutmeg and mace are soluble in chloroform, acetone and ethanol but the molluscicidal
components in nutmeg are insoluble in carbon tetrachloride and ether. Usually toxicity of mace powder
against L. acuminata is higher than that of nutmeg powder. Jaiswal and Singh (2009) characterized that
trimyristin and myristicin are the main molluscicidal components of nutmeg and mace. The toxicity of
myristicin was found to be 43.81 times higher than trimyristin after 96h.
LC50 (96h) of column purified fraction of nutmeg (3.98 mg/l) and mace (2.77 mg/l) against L.
acuminata are lower than the LC50 (96h) values of synthetic molluscicides- carbaryl (4.40 mg/l), phorate
(15.0 mg/l), formothion (8.56 mg/l) (Singh & Agarwal, 1983) and aldicarb (11.50 mg/l) (Singh & Agarwal,
1981). 96h LC50 of crude powder of nutmeg (36.95 mg/l) and mace (28.61 mg/l) against L. acuminata
are lower than the crude powder of common spices, Allium sativum bulb (271.06 mg/l), Zingiber officinale
rhizome (273.80 mg/l), Trachyspermum ammi (97.59 mg/l), Allium cepa bulb (253.27 mg/l),
Cinnamomum tamala leaf (830.90 mg/l), Ferula asafoetida dried latex powder (82.71 mg/l) and Syzygium
aromaticum flower bud (51.98 mg/l) (Singh & Singh, 1995; Singh et al., 1997; Srivastava & Singh,
2005; Kumar & Singh, 2006).
Dhingra et al. (2006) demonstrated that the n-hexane extract of the seeds of M. fragrans
significantly inhibited AChE activity in brain of Swiss albino mice. Mukherjee et al. (2007) reported
that in in vitro hydroalcoholic extracts of M. fragrans inhibited 50% of AChE activity at concentration
of 100-150 µg/ml using AChE obtained from bovine erythrocytes. Jaiswal et al. (2009) demonstrated
that in vivo treatment of snail with sublethal concentrations (40% and 80% of 24h and 96h LC50) of
trimyristin and myristicin caused significant (P < 0.05) inhibition in AChE (acetylcholinesterase), ACP
(acid phosphatase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) activity in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata.
Inhibition of these enzymes by trimyristin and myristicin in the nervous tissue of L. acuminata is the
major cause of the molluscicidal activity of Myristica fragrans.
3.11. Clinical effects
In human, nutmeg intoxication resembles to intoxication due to excessive intake of
anticholinergic agents, e.g. profuse sweating, flushed face, delirium, dry throat etc. There is always an
Jaiswal P et al. - Biological Effects of Myristica fragrans 27
altered state of mind, e.g. hallucinations, confusion and an impending sense of doom. Clinical symptoms
may be contradictory depending on the length of time lapsed after ingesting the toxin. Symptoms also
vary according to the dose taken and the variability between different samples of nutmegs.
4. Conclusion
Information from extensive literature review indicates that M. fragrans has a broad spectrum of
pharmacological effects. A single spice has the potential of curing a large number of diseases. Nutmeg
and mace produced from M. fragrans are very effective against various animal and plant bacteria, fungi
and harmful viruses, insects and snails. The antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antioxidant and hepatoprotective
activities of M. fragrans are well accepted because of the wealth of scientific literature supporting these
effects. Instead of several tests on rats / rabbits, M. fragrans is not yet widely used against man. More
research should be undertaken to determine its efficacy against several diseases on man with respect to
other natural products and modern drugs. Therefore, M. fragrans deserves more attention by scientific
community and public health specialists to explore its full range of benefits in the welfare of the society.
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