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Disposition kinetics and effects of menthol.
1San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Medicine, Unviersity of California, 94143-1220, USA.
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|August 25, 1999
Summary
Menthol disposition kinetics and effects were studied. Pure menthol and menthol in food/beverages show similar bioavailability, with menthol causing a slight heart rate increase and reduced vigor.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Metabolism Studies
Background:
- Menthol is prevalent in consumer products but its clinical pharmacology remains understudied.
- Limited data exists on menthol's disposition kinetics and physiological effects.
- A need for a reliable assay to measure menthol in biological fluids was identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the disposition kinetics of menthol.
- To examine the subjective and cardiovascular effects of menthol.
- To develop and utilize a novel assay for menthol measurement.
Main Methods:
- A crossover, placebo-controlled study involving 12 subjects.
- Administration of 100 mg l-menthol capsules, placebo capsules, and 10 mg menthol in food/beverage.
- Measurement of plasma/urine menthol and glucuronide levels, cardiovascular parameters, and subjective effects.
Main Results:
- Menthol was rapidly metabolized to menthol glucuronide, the primary measurable metabolite.
- Plasma half-life of menthol glucuronide differed significantly between capsule and food/beverage forms (P < .05).
- Menthol administration resulted in a less pronounced decrease in heart rate compared to placebo and reduced subjective vigor.
Conclusions:
- Systemic bioavailability of pure menthol and menthol in food/beverages is comparable.
- Menthol exhibits a mild cardioaccelerating effect.
- Further research into menthol's clinical pharmacology is warranted.
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