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Synonym name: DL-Menthol; 89-78-1
Catalogue No.: BP0934
Cas No.: 1490-04-6
Formula: C10H20O
Mol Weight: 156.269
Botanical Source: Present in large amts. in Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, also in other Mentha spp., Artemisia spp., Glechoma hederacea and others
Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle
Can be supplied from milligrams to grams.
For Reference Standard and R&D, Not for Human Use Directly.
Inquire for bulk scale.
HPLC of Menthol
Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃
20.2300
3.3014
3.3014
.5830
5.6979
14.3808
High
69.9365
3.3527
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
0.0
No
No
No
No
Menthol, chemically named p-menthol-3-ol and CAS number 1490-04-6, is a naturally occurring monoterpene compound widely found in plants of the mint genus. As the main volatile component of peppermint oil, menthol has long held an important position in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, and fragrance industries due to its unique cooling sensation and diverse bioactivity. In recent years, with the deepening development of natural product pharmacology, the multiple pharmacological effects of menthol—including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuromodulatory—have gradually been revealed, especially showing significant potential in pain management.
This review aims to systematically summarize the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of menthol, its plant origins and extraction methods, with a focus on its pharmacological activity and mechanism of action. Combining its pharmacological parameters and pharmacokinetic characteristics, it explores its clinical application prospects and development trends, providing theoretical basis and reference for research and application in related fields.
Menthol is a secondary alcohol, belonging to the menthlane monoterpene compounds, with a molecular formula of C10H20O and a molecular weight of 156.2690. Structurally, menthol is one of the enantiomers of 5-methyl-2-(propyl-2-yl)cyclohexane-1-ol, featuring a cyclohexane backbone and a hydroxyl functional group. The presence of its enantiomeric gives menthol its unique stereochemical properties, directly affecting its biological activity and sensory characteristics.
In terms of physicochemical properties, menthol exhibits high lipid solubility (LogP=3.3014), making it easy to penetrate lipid membranes, especially the blood-brain barrier (BBB has high permeability), which benefits its role in the central nervous system. Its polar surface area (TPSA) is 20.2300, indicating moderate molecular polarity and a certain degree of water solubility (0.5830 mg/mL), but overall it is mainly hydrophobic. Menthyl does not show significant hERG channel inhibition, and Ames-induced mutagenic test results are negative, indicating high safety and suitability for further drug development.
Menthol is mainly found in plants of the mint genus, with peppermint (Mentha piperita) and green mint (Mentha spicata) being representative. Mint plants are widely distributed in temperate regions. Due to their strong adaptability and ease of cultivation, they have become the main natural source of menthol.
Traditional extraction methods include steam distillation and organic solvent extraction extraction. Steam distillation is the most commonly used extraction method in industry, effectively separating volatile fats and obtaining menthol-containing peppermint oil. In recent years, supercritical CO2 extraction technology has been widely applied due to its high efficiency and environmental friendliness, capable of extracting high-purity menthol at lower temperatures and avoiding degradation of heat-sensitive components. In addition, modern technologies such as microwave-assisted extraction and enzyme-assisted extraction are gradually being developed to improve extraction efficiency and product quality.
After extraction, menthol is usually purified through distillation, crystallization, and other processes to ensure its chemical purity and biological activity, laying the foundation for subsequent pharmacological research and applications.
Menhol has rich pharmacological activities, covering analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and neuromodulative effects, with particularly in-depth research in the field of pain relief.
Menthol exerts analgesic effects through a multi-target mechanism. Its regulatory effect on TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanillic acid type 1) and TRPA1 channels is particularly significant. TRPV1 is a heat-sensitive ion channel involved in the transmission of pain signals. Menhol activates or modulates this channel, inducing cold sensations and inhibiting pain transmission. TRPA1 channels are also involved in the perception of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and menthol's regulation of these helps alleviate chronic pain.
Additionally, menthol affects endogenous opioid receptor (OPRM1, OPRD1, OPRK1) systems, enhancing the activity of opioid analgesia pathways. Its regulation of CNR1 (cannabinoid receptor 1) and dopamine receptor DRD2 further modulates pain perception and emotional responses in the central nervous system. Menhol inhibits cyclooxygenases (PTGS1, PTGS2), reduces the production of inflammatory mediators, and assists in analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Menhol exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators. Its inhibition of PTGS1 and PTGS2 reduces prostaglandin production and lowers inflammatory responses. Experimental studies have shown that menthol can reduce tissue inflammation, edema, and cellular infiltration, offering potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic value.
Menthol exhibits inhibitory effects on various bacteria and fungi, especially effective against oral pathogens and strains of skin infections. Its antibacterial mechanism may be related to the disruption of microbial cell membrane integrity and disruption of metabolic processes. Additionally, menthol has antispasmodic and sedative effects, possibly by regulating neurotransmitter release and ion channel function.
The multi-target mechanism of menthol forms the basis of its pharmacological activity, mainly involving the following key targets:
Through the synergistic effect of these multiple targets, menthol can achieve multidimensional analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects with minimal side effects, demonstrating promising drug development potential.
The druggability parameters of menthol indicate that it has good potential for drug development. The molecular weight of 156.2690 conforms to the Lipinski rule, and the LogP value of 3.3014 indicates moderate lipid solubility, which is beneficial for membrane penetration and distribution in vivo. TPSA is 20.2300, supporting its good cell membrane permeability and oral bioavailability.
Although its water solubility is limited (0.5830 mg/mL), its solubility and bioavailability can be improved through formulation technology. Menthol has high blood-brain barrier permeability, making it suitable for treating central nervous system diseases.
In terms of safety, menthol does not inhibit hERG channels, reducing the risk of cardiotoxicity; Ames test is negative, indicating no genotoxicity and suitable for long-term use.
Pharmacokinetic studies show that menthol is rapidly absorbed orally, widely distributed in the body, and mainly metabolized through hepatic enzymes, producing various metabolites that are ultimately excreted by the kidneys. Its half-life is moderate, supporting dosage design for daily medication.
With its unique analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, menthol has been widely used in topical analgesics, oral care products, and respiratory medications. In the future, with deeper understanding of its molecular mechanisms and advances in formulation technology, menthol is expected to achieve breakthroughs in the following areas:
Future research should focus on optimizing the pharmacodynamics, toxicological evaluation, and clinical trial validation of menthol, promoting its transformation from traditional applications to modern drugs.
As a natural monoterpene alcohol, menthol demonstrates broad application potential due to its multi-target and multi-mechanism pharmacological activity. Its excellent druggability parameters and safety provide a solid foundation for drug development. With continuous advances in modern pharmacology and pharmaceutics, menthol is expected to play a greater role in pain management and related disease treatment, becoming an important model for research on natural product drugs. Future systematic research and clinical validation will further advance the scientific application and industrialization of menthol.
Shenshuai
Wenjing
Hedandan
