Myristica fragrans Aromatherapy Oil: Formulation, Freeze-Thaw Stability, and Antistress Activity

Abstract

Nutmeg essential oil derived from Myristica fragrans is widely utilised in the food, pharmaceutical, perfumery, and cosmetic industries, and it contains bioactive constituents such as safrole and myristicin that may contribute to neurosensory responses relevant to aromatherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the physical stability of nutmeg essential oil formulated as an aromatherapy wind oil and to assess its antistress-like activity in white mice (Mus musculus). A post-test only control group design was employed using 15 mice randomly allocated into five groups with three mice per group, consisting of a negative control (K−), nutmeg aromatherapy oil formulations containing 2% (F1), 4% (F2), and 8% (F3) essential oil, and a positive control (K+) using Freshcare. Stability was assessed using a freeze–thaw cycling test followed by physical evaluations including organoleptic properties, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, and viscosity. Antistress-like activity was evaluated by measuring immobility time in the forced swimming test after 60 minutes of aromatherapy exposure. Immobility time decreased from 174.6667 seconds in K− to 149.0 seconds in F1, 133.6667 seconds in F2, and 101.3333 seconds in F3, with the lowest value observed in K+ at 87.3333 seconds. These findings indicate that the nutmeg aromatherapy oil remained physically stable under cycling conditions and produced a concentration-related reduction in immobility time, with statistically significant differences between groups at p < 0.05.