[Absorption, distribution and metabolism of [14C]-levomenol in the skin]

The purpose of the present investigations was to study the cutaneous absorption of sesquiterpenic alcohol, the major active principle of chamomile. For these investigations 14C-labelled levomenol ((-)-6-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-hepten-2-ol; (-)-alpha-bisabolol) was prepared by biochemical incorporation of [14C]-acetate into the molecule. 5 h after topical application of the radiolabelled substance onto nude mice half of the radioactivity was found in the skin. The other part was measured in tissue and organes. 90% of this radioactivity was analysed as intact levomenol. To demonstrate the distribution of the substance in the skin a part of this tissue was cutted into horizontal slices by a cryotome. From the slices autoradiograms were produced. The densitometric measuration showed that there was a fast penetration of levomenol into the skin. 5 h after the topical application the substance was displaced from outermost to innermost areas. From these results a fast cutaneous absorption and a long therapeutical effect of the antiphlogistic and spasmolytic levomenol in the skin can be expected.