MENTHOL AND RELATED COOLING COMPOUNDS

Menthol and related cooling compounds such as 'coolant agent 10', are widely used in products ranging from common cold medications to toothp astes, confectionery, cosmetics and pesticides. The review brings toge ther a range of information on production and chemistry of menthol, an d its metabolism, mechanism of action, structure-activity relationship s, pharmacology and toxicology. In particular, the coolant action and carminative actions of menthol are discussed in terms of actions on ca lcium conductance in sensory nerves and smooth muscle. The actions of menthol on the nose, respiratory reflexes, oral cavity, skin and gastr ointestinal tract are reviewed.