The single treatment of mice with steam distillate, non-volatile ether extract and methanol extract from mace (Arils of Myristica fragrans) caused a significant prolongation of hexobarbital-induced narcosis and increase in strychnine toxicity as well as a significant decrease in hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme activities. On 7 consecutive daily administrations, however, the duration of hypnosis was markedly shortened and significant increases in the hepatic enzyme activities were shown. With systematic fractionation by $SiO_2$ column chromatography of non-volatile ether fraction monitoring by animal tests a new lignan (mp $70{sim}72^{circ}$, MW 328, $[{alpha}]^{20}_D+5.28$) was isolated as an active principle and its structure was elucidated as (2R, 3S)-1-(3,4-methylendioxyphenyl)-2,3 dimethyl-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) butane.