4-Carvomenthenol (Terpinen-4-ol) is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. 4-Carvomenthenol is a fragrance ingredient used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps and other toiletries as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. Its use worldwide is in the region of 1–10 metric tonnes per annum. The maximum skin level that results from the use of 4-carvementhenol in formulae that go into fine fragrances has been reported to be 0.13%. 4-Carvomenthenol has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal effects as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It is a putative anitcancer agent. 4-carvementhenol exerts its antitumor effects by triggering caspase-dependent apoptosis in human melanoma cells or by inducing necrotic cell death and cell-cycle arrest in mouse mesothelioma and melanomacell lines without affecting normal cells. Caspase-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction is the mechanism of terpinen-4-ol-induced apoptosis in nonsmall lung cancer cells. Down-regulation of Bcl-2, XIAP and survivin suggests that ter-pinen-4-ol increases the susceptibility of NSCLC cells toapoptosis induction. Notably, the ability of terpinen-4-ol to induce apoptosis in NSCLC cells is p53-dependent. It has also been shown that the growth of s.c. xenograft tumors was remarkably inhibited by intratumoral injection of terpinen-4-ol, indicating that the agent also has potential for clinical anticancer activity.

2-(L-MENTHOXY)ETHANOL is used as a food additive and it has been described as bland and odorless with a minty aroma. There are currently no safety concerns regarding the use of this compound (latest evaluation 2008). It belongs to the class of organic compounds known as menthane monoterpenoids.

There is no much information about the biological and pharmacological application of ethyl menthane carboxamide. It is known that this compound is used as a physiological coolant in foods, beverages, chewing gum, topical pharmaceutical formulations and oral hygiene products.

Carvone is a monoterpene ketone that is found in several essential oils and used in the flavor industry, alternative medicine and as starting material for the asymmetric total synthesis of natural products. Carvone is produced in two enantiomeric forms: (R)-(-)-carvone, is found in mint leaves, and it is a principal contributor to the distinctive odor of mint. The other form, (S)-(+)-carvone, is found in caraway seeds. This form has a very different smell and is typically used to flavor rye bread and other Eastern European foods. S-(+)-Carvone is also used to prevent premature sprouting of potatoes during storage, being marketed in the Netherlands for this purpose under the name Talent. In the body, in vivo studies indicate that both enantiomers of carvone are mainly metabolized into dihydrocarvonic acid, carvonic acid and uroterpenolone.