Menthol
drugOn this page
Also known as Aqua-coolAquasootheArjunCatarrhDermacoolDl-mentholFEMA NO. 2665HallsKarvolLocketsMeggezoneMeggezonesMenthol component of salonpasMenthol racematedl-MuirsNSC-2603Rac-mentholRacementhol
Summary
Menthol (CHEMBL256087) is an approved small-molecule volatile oil component; indicated across 35 conditions including arthritic joint disease and frozen shoulder.
At a glance
- Status: Approved (max clinical phase 4)
- Modality: Small molecule
- Indications: 35 conditions
- Clinical trials: 33
- Chemistry: 156.26 Da · C10H20O
Identifiers
Drug identity and classification
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| ChEMBL ID | CHEMBL256087 |
| Name | Menthol |
| Type | Small molecule |
| Max phase | 4 |
| FDA approved | yes |
| PubChem CID | 1254 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:25187 |
| Molecular formula | C10H20O |
| Molecular weight | 156.26 |
| InChIKey | NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
SMILES: CC1CCC(C(C1)O)C(C)C
IUPAC name: 5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol
ChEBI definition: Any secondary alcohol that is one of the eight possible diastereoisomers of 5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol.
Pharmacological roles (ChEBI): volatile oil component.
Also known as: Aqua-cool, Aquasoothe, Arjun, Catarrh, Dermacool, Dl-menthol, FEMA NO. 2665, Halls, Karvol, Lockets, Meggezone, Meggezones
Patent coverage: 65,003 distinct patent families (182,803 SureChEMBL compound mentions), from 1 matched compound structure(s). Mentions count patents naming the compound (not distinct inventions), so promiscuous / reference molecules inflate the mention figure — families are the dedup metric.
Targets
Targets
Broader ChEMBL bioactivity targets: 5 (assay-derived). Sample: Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1, Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8, Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8, Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1, Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1.
Bioactivity
ChEMBL activities: 3 potent at pChembl ≥ 5 of 19 total. Top 30 by potency (10 = 0.1 nM, 6 = 1 µM):
| Target | pChembl | Type | Value | Unit | Activity ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRPM8 | 5.52 | EC50 | 3000 | nM | CHEMBL_ACT_13512226 |
| Q8BLA8 | 5.28 | EC50 | 5200 | nM | CHEMBL_ACT_26312728 |
| Q6RI86 | 5.15 | EC50 | 7100 | nM | CHEMBL_ACT_26312687 |
Target pathways
No target-pathway data for this drug (no mapped target genes).
Indications & clinical
Indications
35 indications (30 at ChEMBL trial phase 4). Phase below is the highest clinical-trial phase recorded for this drug against each disease — not the molecule’s overall approval status (that is in the Summary).
| Indication | Trial phase | MONDO | EFO |
|---|---|---|---|
| arthritic joint disease | 4 | MONDO:0005578 | EFO:0005856 |
| frozen shoulder | 4 | MONDO:0006763 | EFO:1000941 |
| disease of the tendon | 4 | MONDO:0100010 | EFO:1001434 |
| common cold | 4 | MONDO:0005709 | EFO:0007214 |
| pharyngitis | 4 | MONDO:0002258 | MONDO:0002258 |
| injury | 4 | MONDO:0021178 | EFO:0000546 |
| sunburn | 4 | MONDO:0005326 | EFO:0003958 |
| burn | 4 | MONDO:0043519 | EFO:0009516 |
| hemorrhoid | 4 | MONDO:0004872 | EFO:0009552 |
| bronchitis | 4 | MONDO:0003781 | EFO:0009661 |
| herpes labialis | 4 | MONDO:0043653 | EFO:1001347 |
| bursitis | 4 | MONDO:0002471 | MONDO:0002471 |
| asthma | 4 | MONDO:0004979 | MONDO:0004979 |
| osteoarthritis | 4 | MONDO:0005178 | MONDO:0005178 |
| gastric neoplasm | 3 | MONDO:0021085 | MONDO:0001056 |
| hypertensive disorder | 2 | MONDO:0005044 | EFO:0000537 |
| diabetic neuropathy | 1 | MONDO:0006626 | EFO:1000783 |
| nicotine dependence | 1 | MONDO:0008575 | EFO:0003768 |
17 further indication records had no mapped disease name (EFO/MeSH-only) or were duplicates, and are omitted.
Clinical trials
Total trials: 33.
Phase distribution
| Phase | Trials |
|---|---|
| Not specified | 16 |
| PHASE1 | 6 |
| PHASE2 | 4 |
| PHASE3 | 2 |
| EARLY_PHASE1 | 2 |
| PHASE4 | 1 |
| PHASE2/PHASE3 | 1 |
| PHASE1/PHASE2 | 1 |
Top trials by phase / activity
| NCT | Phase | Status | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT02984072 | PHASE4 | COMPLETED | Menthol for PDT Pain Relief |
| NCT01408446 | PHASE2/PHASE3 | COMPLETED | Effects and Safety of Menthol on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Parameters in Prehypertensive and Mild Hypertensive Patients |
| NCT01411176 | PHASE3 | COMPLETED | Phase III Study of NPO-11 in Patients Undergoing Therapeutic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy |
| NCT01411189 | PHASE3 | COMPLETED | Phase III Open-labeled Study of NPO-11 in Patients Undergoing Therapeutic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy |
| NCT01855607 | PHASE2 | TERMINATED | Topical Menthol for the Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy |
| NCT02728687 | PHASE1/PHASE2 | COMPLETED | Topical Menthol +/- Mannitol for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy |
| NCT03050957 | PHASE2 | COMPLETED | Effect of Oral Menthol on the Swallow Response of Patients With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Associated With Neurological Diseases and Aging |
| NCT04484428 | PHASE2 | TERMINATED | A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of K-285 Compared With Menthol Gel for the Treatment of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in the Lower Extremity |
| NCT05877079 | PHASE2 | COMPLETED | TRPM8 in Acute Ischemic Stroke by Topical Menthol |
| NCT02169154 | PHASE1 | COMPLETED | A Safety Study to Investigate the Skin Irritancy Potential of Diclofenac-Menthol Gel |
| NCT02201238 | PHASE1 | COMPLETED | Pharmacokinetics Study Comparing Topical Diclofenac/Menthol Gels With Voltaren Gel and Oral Diclofenac Sodium |
| NCT02666846 | PHASE1 | COMPLETED | Assess the Efficacy and Safety in Volunteers of DCF100, TIB200 and SPR300 vs. Placebo and Control(s) in a UV Pain Model |
| NCT03168191 | PHASE1 | COMPLETED | Flavors and E-cigarette Effects in Adolescent Smokers- STUDY 2 |
| NCT04900129 | PHASE1 | COMPLETED | Inhalation of Vapor With Medication (Diclofenac Sodium, Menthol, Methyl Salicylate and N-Acetyl Cysteine) Reduces Oxygen Need and Hospital Stay in COVID-19 Patients - A Case Control Study |
| NCT05106400 | PHASE1 | COMPLETED | Clinical Adhesion Study Between ZTlido 1.8% and Three Over-the-counter External Analgesic Lidocaine-containing Patches |
| NCT03243630 | EARLY_PHASE1 | COMPLETED | Effects of Flavors on Nicotine Reinforcement in Smokers |
| NCT06811051 | EARLY_PHASE1 | UNKNOWN | Effect of Clove Oil and Menthol Lozenges on Post-extubation Sore Throat |
| NCT05785026 | Not specified | RECRUITING | Menthol for Dyspnea Relief in Health and COPD |
| NCT05896033 | Not specified | RECRUITING | Impact of Cigarette and E-cigarette Menthol Regulation on Current Smokers of Menthol Cigarettes |
| NCT06515652 | Not specified | RECRUITING | To Compare the Effects of Herbal Medicines With Traditional Allopathic Medicines in Cases of Patients With Metabolic Syndrome |
| NCT06857760 | Not specified | RECRUITING | Effects of Three Different Methods Applied to Patients After Spine Surgery on Nausea, Thirst and Comfort |
| NCT07508371 | Not specified | NOT_YET_RECRUITING | Menthol Massage for Post-Bypass Pain & Anxiety |
| NCT00743990 | Not specified | COMPLETED | Effect of Effect of a Medicated Topical Therapy , Petrolatum, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough |
| NCT01716767 | Not specified | COMPLETED | Acute Effect of Topical Menthol on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
| NCT02102100 | Not specified | COMPLETED | The Effects of Menthol as Delivered by an Electronic Cigarette on the Desirability of Nicotine in Tobacco Users |
| NCT02403687 | Not specified | COMPLETED | Prospective Analgesic Compound Efficacy (PACE) Study |
| NCT03236623 | Not specified | UNKNOWN | Menthol Popsicle to Manage the Patient’s Seat in the Preoperative Period. |
| NCT03621800 | Not specified | COMPLETED | Menthol Popsicle to Manage the Elderly Patient’s Thirst in the Immediate Postoperative Period |
| NCT04879225 | Not specified | COMPLETED | Menthol and Mint Experimental Tobacco Marketplace (ETM) Study |
| NCT04994262 | Not specified | COMPLETED | The Effect on Thirst, Nausea-Vomiting and Comfort Levels of Menthol Lozenge Applied After Extubation |
| NCT05429814 | Not specified | COMPLETED | Topical Menthol Application in Chemotherapy-Related Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Breast Cancer |
| NCT05632692 | Not specified | UNKNOWN | Menthol Mouth Rinsing and Performance Responses of Elite Football Referees in the Heat |
| NCT06939972 | Not specified | COMPLETED | A Single Group Study to Evaluate the Effects of a Topical Product on Cramps Associated With the Menstrual Cycle |
Clinical evidence (CIViC)
No CIViC predictive evidence (expected for non-precision-medicine drugs).
Pharmacology
Pharmacogenomics
No PharmGKB pharmacogenomic data curated for this drug.
Related molecules
Related molecules
No competitor molecules sharing a primary target (ChEMBL phase ≥2 or PubChem drug-class).