Menthol: A refreshing look at this ancient compound

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Volumn 57, Issue 5, 2007, Pages 873-878

  Patel, Tejesh ^a   Ishiuji, Yozo ^a   Yosipovitch, Gil ^a  

^a WAKE FOREST SCHOOL OF MEDICINE   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

MENTHOL;

ANALGESIA; ANESTHESIA MECHANISM; ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY; ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY; CALCIUM CELL LEVEL; COOLING; HUMAN; NONHUMAN; OLFACTORY SYSTEM; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PSYCHOPHYSICS; REVIEW; SKIN TEMPERATURE; THERMORECEPTOR;

ADMINISTRATION, TOPICAL; ANALGESICS; ANESTHETICS, LOCAL; ANIMALS; ANTI-BACTERIAL AGENTS; ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS; ANTIPRURITICS; DERMATOLOGY; HUMANS; MENTHOL; OLFACTORY PATHWAYS; PSYCHOPHYSICS; TRPM CATION CHANNELS; VEHICLES;

EID: 35148829942     PISSN: 01909622     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.04.008     Document Type: Review

References (62)

1. Menthol. Wikimedia 2007 January 31 [cited 2007 Feb 10]; Available from: URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menthol.
2. Croteau R.B., Davis E.M., Ringer K.L., and Wildung M.R. (-)-Menthol biosynthesis and molecular genetics. Naturwissenschaften 92 (2005) 562-577
3. Eccles R. Menthol and related cooling compounds. J Pharm Pharmacol 46 (1994) 618-630
4. Goldscheider A. Ueber specische Wirking des menthols. Arch Anat Physiol Abt Leipzig (1886) 555-558
5. Harris B. Menthol: a review of its thermoreceptor interactions and their therapeutic applications. Int J Aromather 16 (2006) 117-131
6. McKemy D.D., Neuhausser W.M., and Julius D. Identification of a cold receptor reveals a general role for TRP channels in thermosensation. Nature 416 (2002) 52-58
7. Peier A.M., Moqrich A., Hergarden A.C., Reeve A.J., Andersson D.A., Story G.M., et al. A TRP channel that senses cold stimuli and menthol. Cell 108 (2002) 705-715
8. Caterina M.J., Schumacher M.A., Tominaga M., Rosen T.A., Levine J.D., and Julius D. The capsaicin receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway. Nature 389 (1997) 816-824
9. Caterina M.J. Transient receptor potential ion channels as participants in thermosensation and thermoregulation. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 292 (2007) R64-R76
10. Liu Y., Lubin M.L., Reitz T.L., Wang Y., Colburn R.W., Flores C.M., et al. Molecular identification and functional characterization of a temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential channel (TRPM8) from canine. Eur J Pharmacol 530 (2006) 23-32
11. Abe J., Hosokawa H., Okazawa M., Kandachi M., Sawada Y., Yamanaka K., et al. TRPM8 protein localization in trigeminal ganglion and taste papillae. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 136 (2005) 91-98
12. Story G.M., Peier A.M., Reeve A.J., Eid S.R., Mosbacher J., Hricik T.R., et al. ANKTM1, a TRP-like channel expressed in nociceptive neurons, is activated by cold temperatures. Cell 112 (2003) 819-829
13. Okazawa M., Inoue W., Hori A., Hosokawa H., Matsumura K., and Kobayashi S. Noxious heat receptors present in cold-sensory cells in rats. Neurosci Lett 359 (2004) 33-36
14. Peier A.M., Reeve A.J., Andersson D.A., Moqrich A., Earley T.J., Hergarden A.C., et al. A heat-sensitive TRP channel expressed in keratinocytes. Science 296 (2002) 2046-2049
15. Inoue K., Koizumi S., Fuziwara S., Denda S., Inoue K., and Denda M. Functional vanilloid receptors in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 291 (2002) 124-129
16. Chung M.K., Lee H., Mizuno A., Suzuki M., and Caterina M.J. TRPV3 and TRPV4 mediate warmth-evoked currents in primary mouse keratinocytes. J Biol Chem 279 (2004) 21569-21575
17. Tsavaler L., Shapero M.H., Morkowski S., and Laus R. Trp-p8, a novel prostate-specific gene, is up-regulated in prostate cancer and other malignancies and shares high homology with transient receptor potential calcium channel proteins. Cancer Res 61 (2001) 3760-3769
18. Andersson D.A., Chase H.W., and Bevan S. TRPM8 activation by menthol, icilin, and cold is differentially modulated by intracellular pH. J Neurosci 24 (2004) 5364-5369
19. Lis A., Wissenbach U., and Philipp S.E. Transcriptional regulation and processing increase the functional variability of TRPM channels. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 371 (2005) 315-324
20. Reid G. ThermoTRP channels and cold sensing: what are they really up to?. Pflugers Arch 451 (2005) 250-263
21. Macpherson L.J., Hwang S.W., Miyamoto T., Dubin A.E., Patapoutian A., and Story G.M. More than cool: promiscuous relationships of menthol and other sensory compounds. Mol Cell Neurosci 32 (2006) 335-343
22. Rohacs T., Lopes C.M., Michailidis I., and Logothetis D.E. PI(4,5)P2 regulates the activation and desensitization of TRPM8 channels through the TRP domain. Nat Neurosci 8 (2005) 626-634
23. Behrendt H.J., Germann T., Gillen C., Hatt H., and Jostock R. Characterization of the mouse cold-menthol receptor TRPM8 and vanilloid receptor type-1 VR1 using a fluorometric imaging plate reader (FLIPR) assay. Br J Pharmacol 141 (2004) 737-745
24. Cometto-Muniz J.E., and Cain W.S. Thresholds for odor and nasal pungency. Physiol Behav 48 (1990) 719-725
25. Murphy C. Age-related effects on the threshold, psychophysical function, and pleasantness of menthol. J Gerontol 38 (1983) 217-222
26. Cliff M.A., and Green B.G. Sensory irritation and coolness produced by menthol: evidence for selective desensitization of irritation. Physiol Behav 56 (1994) 1021-1029
27. Green B.G. Menthol inhibits the perception of warmth. Physiol Behav 38 (1986) 833-838
28. Green B.G., and McAuliffe B.L. Menthol desensitization of capsaicin irritation. Evidence of a short-term anti-nociceptive effect. Physiol Behav 68 (2000) 631-639
29. Yosipovitch G., Szolar C., Hui X.Y., and Maibach H. Effect of topically applied menthol on thermal, pain and itch sensations and biophysical properties of the skin. Arch Dermatol Res 288 (1996) 245-248
30. Hatem S., Attal N., Willer J.C., and Bouhassira D. Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers. Pain 122 (2006) 190-196
31. Wasner G., Schattschneider J., Binder A., and Baron R. Topical menthol-a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors. Brain 127 Pt 5 (2004) 1159-1171
32. Namer B., Seifert F., Handwerker H.O., and Maihofner C. TRPA1 and TRPM8 activation in humans: effects of cinnamaldehyde and menthol. Neuroreport 16 (2005) 955-959
33. Bromm B., Scharein E., Darsow U., and Ring J. Effects of menthol and cold on histamine-induced itch and skin reactions in man. Neurosci Lett 187 (1995) 157-160
34. Riser R.L., Kowcz A., Schoelermann A., and Rippke F. Tolerance profile and efficacy of a menthol-containing itch relief spray in children and atopics. [abstract]. Paediatric Dermatology 194 Suppl 64 (2003) S83
35. Ikoma A., Steinhoff M., Stander S., Yosipovitch G., and Schmelz M. The neurobiology of itch. Nat Rev Neurosci 7 (2006) 535-547
36. Galeotti N., Di Cesare M.L., Mazzanti G., Bartolini A., and Ghelardini C. Menthol: a natural analgesic compound. Neurosci Lett 322 (2002) 145-148
37. Yosipovitch G., Goon A., Wee J., Chan Y.H., and Goh C.L. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of pruritus among patients with extensive psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 143 (2000) 969-973
38. Yosipovitch G., Goon A.T., Wee J., Chan Y.H., Zucker I., and Goh C.L. Itch characteristics in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis using a new questionnaire for the assessment of pruritus. Int J Dermatol 41 (2002) 212-216
39. Yosipovitch G., Fast K., and Bernhard J.D. Noxious heat and scratching decrease histamine-induced itch and skin blood flow. J Invest Dermatol 125 (2005) 1268-1272
40. Zucker I., Yosipovitch G., David M., Gafter U., and Boner G. Prevalence and characterization of uremic pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis: uremic pruritus is still a major problem for patients with end-stage renal disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 49 (2003) 842-846
41. Menthol. Federal Register 44 (1979) 69827-69828
42. Wasner G., and Baron R. Pain prevention allows patients with chronic pruritis to itch from central sensitivity for itching (in German). Schmerz 19 (2005) 324-327
43. Green B.G., and Schoen K.L. Thermal and nociceptive sensations from menthol and their suppression by dynamic contact. Behav Brain Res 176 (2007) 284-291
44. Macpherson L.J., Dubin A.E., Evans M.J., Marr F., Schultz P.G., Cravatt B.F., et al. Noxious compounds activate TRPA1 ion channels through covalent modification of cysteines. Nature 445 (2007) 541-545
45. On A.Y., Colakoglu Z., Hepguler S., and Aksit R. Local heat effect on sympathetic skin responses after pain of electrical stimulus. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 78 (1997) 1196-1199
46. Galeotti N., Ghelardini C., Mannelli L., Mazzanti G., Baghiroli L., and Bartolini A. Local anaesthetic activity of (+)- and (-)-menthol. Planta Med 67 (2001) 174-176
47. Haeseler G., Maue D., Grosskreutz J., Bufler J., Nentwig B., Piepenbrock S., et al. Voltage-dependent block of neuronal and skeletal muscle sodium channels by thymol and menthol. Eur J Anaesthesiol 19 (2002) 571-579
48. Iscan G., Kirimer N., Kurkcuoglu M., Baser K.H., and Demirci F. Antimicrobial screening of Mentha piperita essential oils. J Agric Food Chem 50 (2002) 3943-3946
49. Trombetta D., Castelli F., Sarpietro M.G., Venuti V., Cristani M., Daniele C., et al. Mechanisms of antibacterial action of three monoterpenes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 49 (2005) 2474-2478
50. Schelz Z., Molnar J., and Hohmann J. Antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of essential oils. Fitoterapia 77 (2006) 279-285
51. Liu H., Li S., Wang Y., Yao H., and Zhang Y. Effect of vehicles and enhancers on the topical delivery of cyclosporin A. Int J Pharm 311 (2006) 182-186
52. Panchagnula R., Desu H., Jain A., and Khandavilli S. Effect of lipid bilayer alteration on transdermal delivery of a high-molecular-weight and lipophilic drug: studies with paclitaxel. J Pharm Sci 93 (2004) 2177-2183
53. Amnuaikit C., Ikeuchi I., Ogawara K., Higaki K., and Kimura T. Skin permeation of propranolol from polymeric film containing terpene enhancers for transdermal use. Int J Pharm 289 (2005) 167-178
54. Williams A.C., and Barry B.W. Penetration enhancers. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 56 (2004) 603-618
55. Martin D., Valdez J., Boren J., and Mayersohn M. Dermal absorption of camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate in humans. J Clin Pharmacol 44 (2004) 1151-1157
56. Kanikkannan N., Andega S., Burton S., Babu R.J., and Singh M. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of transdermal patches of melatonin. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 30 (2004) 205-212
57. Yener G., Gonullu U., Uner M., Degim T., and Araman A. Effect of vehicles and penetration enhancers on the in vitro percutaneous absorption of celecoxib through human skin. Pharmazie 58 (2003) 330-333
58. Cornwell P.A., Barry B.W., Stoddart C.P., and Bouwstra J.A. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction of human stratum corneum: effects of hydration and terpene enhancer treatment. J Pharm Pharmacol 46 (1994) 938-950
59. Cal K., Janicki S., and Sznitowska M. In vitro studies on penetration of terpenes from matrix-type transdermal systems through human skin. Int J Pharm 224 (2001) 81-88
60. Aguirre A., Oleaga J.M., Zabala R., Izu R., and az-Perez J.L. Allergic contact dermatitis from Reflex spray. Contact Derm 30 (1994) 52-53
61. Wilkinson S.M., and Beck M.H. Allergic contact dermatitis from menthol in peppermint. Contact Derm 30 (1994) 42-43
62. McGowan E.M. Menthol urticaria. Arch Dermatol 94 (1966) 62-63