Menthol

Category: terpenoid

Aliases: (-)-menthol

Pharmacological Mechanism

Cyclic monoterpene from Mentha species. Activates TRPM8 cold-receptor channels → cooling sensation; also weak Ca²⁺-channel modulation. Topical analgesic, decongestant, GI antispasmodic.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 1.5h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 180 mg (Range: 90–270 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous

Pathways It Modulates

• TRP channel sensory transduction (activator) — TRPM8 (cool receptor)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 1254
• Formula: C10H20O
• Molecular weight: 156.27 g/mol
• InChIKey: NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: CC1CCC(C(C1)O)C(C)C