U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Divider Arrow National Institutes of Health Divider Arrow NCATS

Details

Stereochemistry RACEMIC
Molecular Formula C10H20O
Molecular Weight 156.2652
Optical Activity ( + / - )
Defined Stereocenters 3 / 3
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of RACEMENTHOL

SMILES

CC(C)[C@@H]1CC[C@@H](C)C[C@H]1O

InChI

InChIKey=NOOLISFMXDJSKH-KXUCPTDWSA-N
InChI=1S/C10H20O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h7-11H,4-6H2,1-3H3/t8-,9+,10-/m1/s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula C10H20O
Molecular Weight 156.2652
Charge 0
Count
Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 3 / 3
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED

Description
Curator's Comment: description was created based on several sources, including: http://www.tera.org/OARS/Menthol%20WEEL%20FINAL.pdf | http://www.inchem.org/documents/sids/sids/MENTHOLS.pdf

Menthyl lactate is derived from menthol, a compound that comes from peppermint oil, or is made synthetically. Menthol has a natural cooling effect, which makes it useful as a topical analgesic to treat skin irritation, pain, itching or sunburn. Despite its cooling benefits, menthol can be a skin irritant. Like menthol, menthyl lactate is cooling, but it causes less skin irritation than menthol. Menthyl lactate also has a refreshing, minty taste. For this reason, some manufacturers use it as a flavoring ingredient. The compound is recommended for use as a flavor in concentrations of 0.005% to 0.2% and in cosmetic and other external products in concentrations ranging from 0.2% to 2.0%. Menthyl lactate is a known compound available e.g. from Haarmann & Reimer GmbH (Germany) under the name FRESCOLAT, Type ML.

CNS Activity

Curator's Comment: Known to disrupt tight junctions in blood brain barrier

Approval Year

Targets

Targets

Primary TargetPharmacologyConditionPotency
37.8 µM [IC50]
300.0 µM [IC50]
Target ID: Q7Z2W7
Gene ID: 79054.0
Gene Symbol: TRPM8
Target Organism: Homo sapiens (Human)
30.0 µM [EC50]
Target ID: O75762
Gene ID: 8989.0
Gene Symbol: TRPA1
Target Organism: Homo sapiens (Human)
68.0 µM [IC50]
Target ID: P41145
Gene ID: 4986.0
Gene Symbol: OPRK1
Target Organism: Homo sapiens (Human)
Conditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Palliative
BENGAY

Approved Use

temporarily relieves the minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with a simple backache, arthritis, strains, bruises, sprains.
Palliative
BENGAY

Approved Use

temporarily relieves the minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with a simple backache, arthritis, strains, bruises, sprains.
Palliative
Unknown

Approved Use

Unknown
Palliative
VICKS VAPORUB

Approved Use

On chest and throat, temporarily relieves cough due to common cold
Primary
VICKS VAPORUB

Approved Use

On muscles and joints, temporarily relieves minor aches and pains
Primary
CVS ANTI ITCH

Approved Use

For the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with minor skin irritations such as poison ivy/oak/sumac, sunburn, insect bites and minor cuts and scrapes.
Palliative
VICKS VAPORUB

Approved Use

Treatment for rhinitis that is associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection and allergy
Palliative
Unknown

Approved Use

Unknown
Primary
FRESCOLAT ML

Approved Use

The compund is uses as a flavoring ingredient and in cosmetics as a cooling agent
Cmax

Cmax

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
32.89 ng/mL
80 mg single, intragastric
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
31.6 ng/mL
160 mg single, intragastric
dose: 160 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
48 ng/mL
320 mg single, intragastric
dose: 320 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
5617.46 ng/mL
80 mg single, intragastric
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
9882.69 ng/mL
160 mg single, intragastric
dose: 160 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
17601.81 ng/mL
320 mg single, intragastric
dose: 320 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
AUC

AUC

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
45.46 ng × h/mL
80 mg single, intragastric
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
52.64 ng × h/mL
160 mg single, intragastric
dose: 160 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
109.34 ng × h/mL
320 mg single, intragastric
dose: 320 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
9676.67 ng × h/mL
80 mg single, intragastric
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
15639.85 ng × h/mL
160 mg single, intragastric
dose: 160 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
32115.5 ng × h/mL
320 mg single, intragastric
dose: 320 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
T1/2

T1/2

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
1.0306 h
80 mg single, intragastric
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
1.7739 h
160 mg single, intragastric
dose: 160 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
1.222 h
320 mg single, intragastric
dose: 320 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
LEVOMENTHOL plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
7.8072 h
80 mg single, intragastric
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
5.5689 h
160 mg single, intragastric
dose: 160 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
5.8693 h
320 mg single, intragastric
dose: 320 mg
route of administration: Intragastric
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
MENTHOL GLUCURONIDE plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
Funbound
Doses

Doses

DosePopulationAdverse events​
3 % single, topical
Studied dose
Dose: 3 %
Route: topical
Route: single
Dose: 3 %
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: UNKNOWN
Sources:
Other AEs: Swelling of limbs...
Other AEs:
Swelling of limbs (1 pt)
Sources:
AEs

AEs

AESignificanceDosePopulation
Swelling of limbs 1 pt
3 % single, topical
Studied dose
Dose: 3 %
Route: topical
Route: single
Dose: 3 %
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: UNKNOWN
Sources:
Overview

Overview

Drug as perpetrator​Drug as victimTox targets

Tox targets

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Effects of d-menthol stress on the growth of and microcystin release by the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905.
2014-10
Different effects of l- and d-menthol on the microstructure of ceramide 5/cholesterol/palmitic acid bilayers.
2010-12-15
Fragrance material review on d-menthol.
2008-11
Characterization of the mouse cold-menthol receptor TRPM8 and vanilloid receptor type-1 VR1 using a fluorometric imaging plate reader (FLIPR) assay.
2004-02
Characterization of essential oils from lamiaceae species by fourier transform Raman spectroscopy.
2002-09-25
Evaluation of peppermint oil and ascorbyl palmitate as inhibitors of cytochrome P4503A4 activity in vitro and in vivo.
2002-09
Cold- and menthol-sensitive C afferents of cat urinary bladder.
2002-08-15
Voltage-dependent block of neuronal and skeletal muscle sodium channels by thymol and menthol.
2002-08
Phytochemical induction by herbivores could affect quality of essential oils from aromatic plants.
2002-07-03
Antimicrobial screening of Mentha piperita essential oils.
2002-07-03
A novel treatment of postherpetic neuralgia using peppermint oil.
2002-06-06
Preparation and self-assembly of chiral porphyrin diads on the gold electrodes of quartz crystal microbalances: a novel potential approach to the development of enantioselective chemical sensors.
2002-06-03
Field evaluation of three plant-based insect repellents against malaria vectors in Vaca Diez Province, the Bolivian Amazon.
2002-06
Mentholated cigarettes and smoking cessation: findings from COMMIT. Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation.
2002-06
Ion channels activated by cold and menthol in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurones.
2002-05-17
[TRP channels--sensitive for heat and cold, capsaicin and menthol].
2002-05-16
Anti-HIV activity of thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone derivatives of (+/-)-3-menthone.
2002-05
Insecticidal properties of essential plant oils against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae).
2002-05
Analysis of menthol in three traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and their compound formulation by GC-MS.
2002-05
Extraction of thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and camphor residues from honey and beeswax. Determination by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.
2002-04-19
Menthol: a natural analgesic compound.
2002-04-12
An analysis of the mainstream smoke chemistry of samples of the U.S. cigarette market acquired between 1995 and 2000.
2002-04
A chlorinated monoterpene ketone, acylated beta-sitosterol glycosides and a flavanone glycoside from Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae).
2002-04
Signal transduction. Hot and cold TRP ion channels.
2002-03-22
Preparation and in vitro characterization of a eutectic based semisolid self-nanoemulsified drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of ubiquinone: mechanism and progress of emulsion formation.
2002-03-20
Essential oil composition of sachalinmint from Norway detected by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.
2002-03-13
A TRP channel that senses cold stimuli and menthol.
2002-03-08
Identification of a cold receptor reveals a general role for TRP channels in thermosensation.
2002-03-07
Neurobiology: a cool ion channel.
2002-03-07
The dark side of marketing seemingly "Light" cigarettes: successful images and failed fact.
2002-03
Specificity of cold thermotransduction is determined by differential ionic channel expression.
2002-03
Neuroscience. How neurons know that it's c-c-c-c-cold outside.
2002-02-22
Transdermal drug delivery of imipramine hydrochloride. I. Effect of terpenes.
2002-02-19
Sensory and physiologic effects of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes with differing nicotine delivery.
2002-01-29
Factors affecting the resolution of dl-menthol by immobilized lipase-catalyzed esterification in organic solvent.
2002-01-16
Topical mononitrate treatment in patients with anal fissure.
2002-01
In vitro skin permeation of morphine hydrochloride during the finite application of penetration-enhancing system containing water, ethanol and l-menthol.
2002-01
Effect of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum on the essential oil yield related characters and nutrient acquisition in the crops of different cultivars of menthol mint (Mentha arvensis) under field conditions.
2002-01
Penetration enhancing effect of menthol on the percutaneous flux of nicardipine hydrochloride through excised rat epidermis from hydroxypropyl cellulose gels.
2002
Measurements by gas chromatography/pyrolysis/mass spectrometry: fundamental conditions in (2)H/(1)H isotope ratio analysis.
2002
Metabolism of (R)-(+)-pulegone in F344 rats.
2001-12
Fullerene modified supported lipid membrane as sensitive element of sensor for odorants.
2001-12
Smoking among Asian American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth: data from the 2000 National Youth Tobacco Survey.
2001-11-27
Pulmonary peptide delivery: effect of taste-masking excipients on leuprolide suspension metered-dose inhalers.
2001-11
Systematic studies on structure and physiological activity of cyclic alpha-keto enamines, a novel class of "cooling" compounds.
2001-11
Smoking and pregnancy outcome among African-American and white women in central North Carolina.
2001-11
Effect of Mentha x piperita essential oil and monoterpenes on cucumber root membrane potential.
2001-11
Menthone and isomenthone biosynthesis in Pelargonium tomentosum Jacq.
2001
Final report on the safety assessment of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf, and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Water.
2001
The effects of D and L isomers of menthol upon nasal sensation of airflow.
1988-06
Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
Curator's Comment: maximum daily exposure on the skin of 0.0573 mg/kg/day https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18640220
2.5% of RACEMENTHOL apply to affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily
Route of Administration: Topical
After the d-menthol exposure (2.0 g in the 600 ml culture medium), the dry weight of the Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905 cells gradually decreased; the decrease in the dry weight after 5d exposure was 29, 12, and 2 mgL(-1) when the initial cell densities were 1.4×10(7), 1.2×10(6), and 2.9×10(5) cellmL(-1), respectively.
Substance Class Chemical
Created
by admin
on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
Edited
by admin
on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
Record UNII
YS08XHA860
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
  • Download
Name Type Language
FEMA NO. 2665, (±)-
Preferred Name English
RACEMENTHOL
HSDB   INN   WHO-DD  
INN  
Official Name English
DL-MENTHOL
Common Name English
MENTHOL, (±)-
Systematic Name English
MENTHOL, DL-
Common Name English
RAC-MENTHOL
Common Name English
(1R,2S,5R)-REL-5-METHYL-2-(1-METHYLETHYL)CYCLOHEXANOL
Common Name English
racementhol [INN]
Common Name English
NSC-2603
Code English
MENTHOL, CIS-1,3,TRANS-1,4-
Common Name English
(±)-MENTHOL
Systematic Name English
(±)-(1R*,3R*,4S*)-MENTHOL
Systematic Name English
CYCLOHEXANOL, 5-METHYL-2-(1-METHYLETHYL)-, (1.ALPHA.,2.BETA.,5.ALPHA.)-
Common Name English
DL-MENTHOL [JAN]
Common Name English
MEGGEZONE
Common Name English
MENTHOL RACEMATE [MI]
Common Name English
CYCLOHEXANOL, 5-METHYL-2-(1-METHYLETHYL)-, (1R,2S,5R)-REL-
Common Name English
RACEMENTHOL [HSDB]
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
NCI_THESAURUS C245
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
NCI_THESAURUS C860
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
Code System Code Type Description
RXCUI
1430390
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY RxNorm
HSDB
89-78-1
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
SMS_ID
100000080286
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DRUG BANK
DB14123
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NSC
2603
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NCI_THESAURUS
C75073
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
YS08XHA860
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CHEBI
76310
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
INN
6724
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ChEMBL
CHEMBL256087
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
YS08XHA860
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CAS
89-78-1
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ChEMBL
CHEMBL2106989
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ECHA (EC/EINECS)
201-939-0
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EPA CompTox
DTXSID1020805
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m7175
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB10232MIG
Created by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Wed Apr 02 09:48:16 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
Related Record Type Details
ENANTIOMER -> RACEMATE
Related Record Type Details
ACTIVE MOIETY