Article: Pharmacology and preclinical pharmacokinetics of peppermint oil.

Abstract

The principal pharmacodynamic effect of peppermint oil relevant to the gastrointestinal tract is a dose-related antispasmodic effect on the smooth musculature due to the interference of menthol with the movement of calcium across the cell membrane. The choleretic and antifoaming effects of peppermint oil may play an additional role in medicinal use.

Peppermint oil is relatively rapidly absorbed after oral administration and eliminated mainly via the bile. The major biliary metabolite is menthol glucuronide, which undergoes enterohepatic circulation. The urinary metabolites result from hydroxylation at the C-7 methyl group at C-8 and C-9 of the ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!