Effect of Camphor, Eucalyptol and Menthol on the Vascular State of the Mucous Membrane

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep

2003

Menthol, in lozenges, nasal sprays, vapo-rubs, inhalers, and cough syrups, is widely used as a treatment for rhinitis that is associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection and allergy. Menthol as a plant extract has been used in traditional medicine in Asia for the treatment of respiratory diseases for hundreds of years, but it was only introduced to the West as a medicine at the end of the 19th century. With the recent discovery of a menthol receptor on the sensory nerves that modulate the cool sensation, menthol has graduated from the realms of herbal medicine into the field of molecular pharmacology. This review concerns the physiologic and pharmacologic mechanisms that underlie the widespread use of menthol as a treatment for the relief of nasal congestion associated with rhinitis and its effects on the drive to breathe and symptomatic relief of dyspnea.

Section: Effects Of Menthol On Nasal Sensation Of Airflowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Menthol: Effects on nasal sensation of airflow and the drive to breathe

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep

2003

“…Despite the results of the studies by Fox (1927) and Butler & Ivy (1943), menthol and similar aromatics were still believed to have a nasal decongestant action and they were recommended as nasal decongestants in professional literature (British National Formulary 1974). Studies on healthy volunteers by Burrow et al (1983) clearly demonstrated that inhalation of camphor, eucalyptus and menthol vapour had no effect on nasal resistance to airflow as measured by rhinomanometry, but exercise caused a marked decrease in nasal resistance in the same group of subjects.…”

Section: Respiratory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Menthol and Related Cooling Compounds

Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

1994

420

334

ToxicologySummary-Menthol and related cooling compounds such as 'coolant agent lo', are widely used in products ranging from common cold medications to toothpastes, confectionery, cosmetics and pesticides. The review brings together a range of information on production and chemistry of menthol, and its metabolism, mechanism of action, structure-activity relationships, pharmacology and toxicology. In particular, the coolant action and carminative actions of menthol are discussed in terms of actions on calcium conductance in sensory nerves and smooth muscle. The actions of menthol on the nose, respiratory reflexes, oral cavity, skin and gastrointestinal tract are reviewed.

“…Menthol vapour can relieve symptoms of nasal congestion but is not a nasal decongestant. In high concentrations menthol acts as an irritant and may cause nasal congestion [81,82].…”

Section: Efficacymentioning

confidence: 99%

Over the counter medicines for colds

2009

Commond Cold

Over the counter (OTC) medicines may be defined as medicines that are freely available to the public without a prescription from a doctor. Self-medication for common cold is now encouraged by most government health authorities in order not to overload health resources in winter. This chapter examines the efficacy of the different groups of medicines for the relief of common cold symptoms (analgesics, decongestants, antihistamines, antitussives, menthol, expectorants and mucolytics, throat lozenges and sprays, multisymptom products, and hot drinks). Safety is the most important factor in any common cold medicine because of the widespread use of the medicines. Because of limitations in dose due to safety concerns many OTC medicines are used at the limits of efficacy and there is often little clinical data to support efficacy, and safety is often supported from a long history of safe use. Aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most widely used analgesic treatments to alleviate pain and fever both as monotherapies and in combination with other cold medicines and their efficacy and safety is supported by data from trials on other pain models. The efficacy of nasal decongestants can be supported by clinical trials, and similarly the symptom relief provided by menthol for nasal congestion. The efficacy data for antihistamines, and antitussives is limited and controversial, and there is no real clinical support for the efficacy of expectorants and mucolytics. There is no doubt that all of the OTC common cold medicines are popular with consumers and that they do provide relief from symptoms that in some cases may be more due to a placebo effect than a pharmacological effect of an active ingredient. Multi-symptom medicines provide a safe and convenient way of treating the common cold syndrome of multiple symptoms but their use is sometimes criticised when not all symptoms need to be treated. Hot drinks can provide immediate and sustained relief from symptoms, especially cough and sore throat.