Peppermint oil

Identification

Summary

Peppermint oil is an ingredient used in a variety of natural health products and is not an approved medication.

Generic Name
Peppermint oil
DrugBank Accession Number
DB11198
Background

Extracted from the stem, leaves, and flowers of Mentha piperita L. plant, peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) is a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy for both external and internal use. Mentha piperita is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica) 6. Medicinal use of herbal ingredients such as peppermint oil has a long history of treating digestive disorders and upper respiratory symptoms and cough 2. There are various over-the-counter and commercial uses of peppermint oil due to its carminative, cholagogue, antibacterial, secretolytic, and choleretic actions 3. Peppermint oil contains pulegone, which is a naturally-occurring pesticide 7. Other active constituents of peppermint oil include Menthol, menthone, cineol, and several other volatile oils 2,3.

Peppermint oil is used as a flavouring agent in foods and fragrance in hygienic or cosmetic products, and as an anti-itch and cooling agent in topical pharmaceutical products. It is also an active ingredient in topical analgesics for the relief of joint and muscle pain. Peppermint oil can be applied topically to temporarily relieve tension-type headache. The use of peppermint oil in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been investigated in many clinical studies due to its relaxing effects on smooth muscle; however the evidence supporting this use is unclear. Due to its effectiveness in relaxing GI smooth muscle but ability to induce gastroesophageal reflux, enteric-coated formulations of peppermint oil has been established which bypass the upper GI tract unmetabolized, thereby facilitating its effect in the lower GI tract without effects in the upper tract 2. Peppermint oil is safe and well-tolerated at commonly recommended dosage 2.

Type
Biotech
Groups
Approved, Investigational
Synonyms
  • English black mint oil
  • Mentha crispa oil
  • Mentha dumetorum oil
  • Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf water
  • Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil
  • Mentha piperita flowering top oil
  • Mentha piperita oil
  • Mentha X piperita oil
  • Menthae piperitae aetheroleum
  • Oil of peppermint
  • Pepermint oil
  • Peppermint american far west bulked
  • Peppermint american willamette natural
  • Peppermint flowering top oil
  • Peppermint indian rectified
  • Peppermint oil america
  • Peppermint oil mongolia
  • Peppermint oil yakima
  • Peppermint volatile oil
External IDs
  • FEMA No. 2848

Pharmacology

Indication

Indicated for the over-the-counter use for:

-the symptomatic relief of minor spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, flatulence and abdominal pain, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

-the temporary relief of itching associated with insect bites, eczema, minor burn, sunburn, minor skin irritations, minor cuts, scrapes, atopic dermatitis and other skin disorders.

-the temporary symptomatic relief of mild joint and muscle pain as a local topical analgesic.

-the temporary relief of tension-type headache.

Reduce drug development failure rates
Build, train, & validate machine-learning models
with evidence-based and structured datasets.
See how
Build, train, & validate predictive machine-learning models with structured datasets.
See how
Associated Conditions
Indication TypeIndicationCombined Product DetailsApproval LevelAge GroupPatient CharacteristicsDose Form
Used in combination to treatColicCombination Product in combination with: Camphor (DB01744), Rhubarb (DB10651), Sodium bicarbonate (DB01390)••• •••
Used in combination for symptomatic treatment ofCoughingCombination Product in combination with: Camphor (DB01744), Eucalyptus oil (DB11114), Levomenthol (DB00825)••• •••••••••••
Symptomatic treatment ofGas•••••••••••••••••••• •••••••• ••••••• •••••••• ••••••••
Symptomatic treatment ofHypertonicity of the small intestine•••••••••••••••••••• •••••••• ••••••• •••••••
Symptomatic treatment ofIrritable bowel syndrome (ibs)•••••••••••••••••••• •••••••• ••••••• •••••••
Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
Prevent Adverse Drug Events Today
Tap into our Clinical API for life-saving information on contraindications & blackbox warnings, population restrictions, harmful risks, & more.
Learn more
Avoid life-threatening adverse drug events with our Clinical API
Learn more
Pharmacodynamics

Peppermint oil induces a dose-related antispasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal smooth muscles 3. A meta-analysis study and additional clinical studies of patients with IBS demonstrated that the treatment with peppermint oil improves abdominal symptoms compared to the placebo group, resulting in reduced severity of abdominal pain, decreased abdominal distension, reduced stool frequency, and reduced flatulence 2,4. The use of enteric-coated peppermint oil was shown to be effective in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia 2. In rats, peppermint oil promoted a time-dependent choleretic effect in increasing bile production and biliary output 3. In randomized controlled trials, topical application of peppermint oil was associated with a significant analgesic effect and a reduction in headache intensity compared to placebo 2. In a study of C57BL/6 mice, topical application of peppermint oil for 4 weeks was associated with a prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth 1.

Mechanism of action

Dose-dependent antispasmodic effect of peppermint oil is largely mediated by its menthol constituent 3. It is proposed that peppermint oil relaxes gastrointestinal smooth muscle and attenuates contractile responses by reducing the influx of extracellular calcium ions. In rabbit jejunum smooth muscle cells investigated via whole cell clamp configuration technique, peppermint oil was shown to inhibit the potential-dependent calcium currents in a concentration-dependent manner 3. Both a reduction in peak current amplitude and an increase in the rate of current decay were observed, indicating that the pharmacological activity peppermint oil resembles that of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists 3. In a rat small intestine study, peppermint oil in the intestinal lumen inhibited enterocyte glucose uptake via a direct action on the brush border membrane and inhibited intestinal secretion 3. There is also evidence that menthol is an antagonist of L-type Ca2+ channels via interacting with dihydropyridine binding sites and blocks the currents of low-voltage-activated calcium channels 3. Peppermint oil may facilitate hair growth by promoting the conservation of vascularization of hair dermal papilla, which may contribute to the induction of early anagen stage of active growth phase of hair follicles 1.

Absorption

After oral administration, peppermint is rapidly absorbed 3. Menthol is highly fat-soluble therefore rapidly absorbed from the proximal gut 5.

Volume of distribution

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Protein binding

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Metabolism

The predominant biliary metabolite of peppermint oil is menthol glucuronide, which undergoes enterohepatic circulation 3. The urinary metabolites are products of hydroxylation at the C-7 methyl group at C-8 and C-9 of the isopropyl moiety, forming a series of mono- and dihydroxymenthols and carboxylic acids, some of which are excreted in part as glucuronic acid conjugates 3.

Route of elimination

Peppermint oil is eliminated mainly via the bile following oral administration, with glucuronide and sulphate metabolites predominant 3. The metabolites, mainly menthol glucuronide and mono- or di-hydroxylated menthol derivatives, may also undergo approximately equal renal and fecal excretion 3. Renal recovery of total menthol within 24 hours was dose-dependent whereas the recovery in bile was substantially higher over 8 hours 3.

Half-life

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Clearance

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Adverse Effects
Improve decision support & research outcomes
With structured adverse effects data, including: blackbox warnings, adverse reactions, warning & precautions, & incidence rates. View sample adverse effects data in our new Data Library!
See the data
Improve decision support & research outcomes with our structured adverse effects data.
See a data sample
Toxicity

Oral LD50 value in rat is 2426 mg/kg MSDS. In fasted mice, the LD50 following oral administration was 2410 mg/kg 7. Higher doses of peppermint oil has the potential to induce menstruation, bronchospasm, tongue spasms, and, possibly, respiratory arrest 2 in addition to potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity 6.

Overdose may cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhoea, rectal ulceration, epileptic convulsions, loss of consciousness, apnoea, nausea, disturbances in cardiac rhythms, ataxia and other CNS problems, probably due to the presence of menthol 8. In the event of overdose, the stomach should be emptied by gastric lavage. Observation should be carried out with symptomatic treatment if necessary 8. A near fatal case of high dose peppermint oil ingestion was reported, the overdose was characterized by comatose and reduced heart rate 6.

Pathways
Not Available
Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
Not Available

Interactions

Drug Interactions
This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
DrugInteraction
AcenocoumarolThe serum concentration of Acenocoumarol can be increased when it is combined with Peppermint oil.
AlfuzosinThe metabolism of Alfuzosin can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
AlprazolamThe metabolism of Alprazolam can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
AripiprazoleThe metabolism of Aripiprazole can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Aripiprazole lauroxilThe metabolism of Aripiprazole lauroxil can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Food Interactions
No interactions found.

Products

Drug product information from 10+ global regions
Our datasets provide approved product information including:
dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.
Access now
Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.
Access now
Active Moieties
NameKindUNIICASInChI Key
PeppermintunknownV95R5KMY2BNot AvailableNot applicable
Over the Counter Products
NameDosageStrengthRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
Anti Itch BalmOintment0.0952 g/28gTopicalUs Organic Group Corp2013-03-29Not applicableUS flag
Anti-Bacterial StickerPatch0.25 mg/100mgTopicalYCM PRODUCTS CO., LTD2020-10-13Not applicableUS flag
Colpermin - Src 187mgCapsule, delayed release187 mg / eccOralReed & Carnrick, Division Of Block Drug Company (Canada) Ltd.1995-12-312000-06-28Canada flag
COLPERMIN CAPSULE 187mgSolution187 mgOralWELLCHEM PHARMACEUTICALS PTE LTD2004-04-11Not applicableSingapore flag
Colpermin Enteric Coated Cap 187mgCapsule, delayed release187 mgOralTillotts Pharma Ag1992-12-311997-07-22Canada flag
Mixture Products
NameIngredientsDosageRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
AmolPeppermint oil (1.963 %) + Cinnamon oil (0.24 %) + Clove oil (0.1 %) + Lavender oil (0.24 %)LiquidOralAmol Pharma Gmbh1999-11-012010-03-09Canada flag
Antiphlamine Coin PlasterPeppermint oil (0.693 mg/0.2832g) + DL-alpha-Tocopherol (0.308 mg/0.2832g) + Diphenhydramine (0.246 mg/0.2832g) + Levomenthol (2.769 mg/0.2832g) + Methyl salicylate (5.541 mg/0.2832g) + Nonivamide (0.046 mg/0.2832g) + Synthetic camphor (1.108 mg/0.2832g)PatchTopicalHanul Trading Co., Ltd.2016-10-10Not applicableUS flag
Arex Sinsin PasPeppermint oil (45.46 mg/1) + Levomenthol (90.9 mg/1) + Methyl salicylate (90.9 mg/1) + Synthetic camphor (34.1 mg/1) + Zinc oxide (431.82 mg/1)PatchCutaneous; Topical; TransdermalSinsin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.2013-07-26Not applicableUS flag
Arex Sinsin PasPeppermint oil (22.73 mg/1) + Levomenthol (45.45 mg/1) + Methyl salicylate (45.45 mg/1) + Synthetic camphor (17.05 mg/1) + Zinc oxide (215.91 mg/1)PatchCutaneous; Topical; TransdermalSinsin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.2015-08-31Not applicableUS flag
BALSEM GOSOK CAP LANG / EAGLE BRAND BALMPeppermint oil (30.45 %) + Camphor (11.1 %)OintmentTopicalEAGLE PHARMA (M) SDN. BHD.2020-09-08Not applicableMalaysia flag
Unapproved/Other Products
NameIngredientsDosageRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
Anti Itch BalmPeppermint oil (0.0952 g/28g)OintmentTopicalUs Organic Group Corp2013-03-29Not applicableUS flag
Antiphlamine Coin PlasterPeppermint oil (0.693 mg/0.2832g) + DL-alpha-Tocopherol (0.308 mg/0.2832g) + Diphenhydramine (0.246 mg/0.2832g) + Levomenthol (2.769 mg/0.2832g) + Methyl salicylate (5.541 mg/0.2832g) + Nonivamide (0.046 mg/0.2832g) + Synthetic camphor (1.108 mg/0.2832g)PatchTopicalHanul Trading Co., Ltd.2016-10-10Not applicableUS flag
Co CoolPeppermint oil (0.01 g/100g) + Menthol (0.06 g/100g) + Pine needle oil (pinus mugo) (0.01 g/100g)LiquidNasalLydia Co., Ltd.2019-08-22Not applicableUS flag
Luxuriant hair for solutionsPeppermint oil (0.1 g/100g)LiquidTopicalBarona Co., Ltd2016-02-01Not applicableUS flag
Seeone Body RelaxPeppermint oil (0.09 g/120mL) + Vanillyl butyl ether (0.48 g/120mL)CreamTopicalRainbow Beauty Cosmetic2016-12-01Not applicableUS flag

Categories

ATC Codes
A03AX15 — Menthae piperitae aetheroleum
Drug Categories
Classification
Not classified
Affected organisms
Not Available

Chemical Identifiers

UNII
AV092KU4JH
CAS number
8006-90-4

References

General References
  1. Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC: Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicol Res. 2014 Dec;30(4):297-304. doi: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297. [Article]
  2. Kligler B, Chaudhary S: Peppermint oil. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Apr 1;75(7):1027-30. [Article]
  3. Grigoleit HG, Grigoleit P: Pharmacology and preclinical pharmacokinetics of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine. 2005 Aug;12(8):612-6. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.10.007. [Article]
  4. Khanna R, MacDonald JK, Levesque BG: Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul;48(6):505-12. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3182a88357. [Article]
  5. Grigoleit HG, Grigoleit P: Gastrointestinal clinical pharmacology of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine. 2005 Aug;12(8):607-11. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.10.006. [Article]
  6. Nath SS, Pandey C, Roy D: A near fatal case of high dose peppermint oil ingestion- Lessons learnt. Indian J Anaesth. 2012 Nov;56(6):582-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.104585. [Article]
  7. Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Amended Safety Assessment of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint)-derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics [File]
  8. European Medicines Agency (EMA) COMMITTEE ON HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS (HMPC): Final Community herbal monograph on Mentha x piperita L Aetheroleum [File]
PubChem Substance
347911151
RxNav
33094
Wikipedia
Peppermint_extract
MSDS
Download (115 KB)

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers
Not Available
Packagers
Not Available
Dosage Forms
FormRouteStrength
OintmentTopical0.0952 g/28g
PatchTopical0.25 mg/100mg
PatchTopical
SolutionRespiratory (inhalation)
CreamTopical
Oil
LiquidNasal
Capsule, delayed releaseOral187 mg / ecc
CapsuleOral187 mg
SolutionOral187 mg
GelTransdermal
PatchTransdermal
MouthwashDental
PatchTopical0.3 g/1g
LiquidOral10 mL / 100 mL
GelCutaneous
OintmentTopical
LiquidRespiratory (inhalation)
SprayCutaneous
PatchCutaneous
LiquidTopical0.1 g/100g
RinseOral
Capsule, delayed releaseOral184 mg
OilTopical
PatchAuricular (otic)2.4 mg/12mg
LiquidOral; Topical0.1 mL / mL
LozengeOral
LinimentTopical
PatchCutaneous; Topical; Transdermal
TabletOral
LiquidOral10 %
StickRespiratory (inhalation); Topical0.65 g/100g
Paste, dentifriceDental
LotionTopical
LiquidTopical
SprayTopical
LiquidOral
CapsuleOral
Paste, dentifriceTopical
GelTopical
SolutionOral
Ointment
Solution
SolutionOral2 ml/100ml
Tablet
SolutionOral10 ml/100ml
Capsule, delayed releaseOral187 mg
Prices
Not Available
Patents
Not Available

Properties

State
Liquid
Experimental Properties
PropertyValueSource
boiling point (°C)215MSDS
water solubilityInsolubleMSDS

Enzymes

Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Unknown
Actions
Inhibitor
Curator comments
Evidence supporting this enzyme action is limited in the literature.
General Function
Oxidoreductase activity, acting on paired donors, with incorporation or reduction of molecular oxygen, reduced flavin or flavoprotein as one donor, and incorporation of one atom of oxygen
Specific Function
Cytochromes P450 are a group of heme-thiolate monooxygenases. In liver microsomes, this enzyme is involved in an NADPH-dependent electron transport pathway. It oxidizes a variety of structurally un...
Gene Name
CYP1A2
Uniprot ID
P05177
Uniprot Name
Cytochrome P450 1A2
Molecular Weight
58293.76 Da
References
  1. A Review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L) [File]
Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Unknown
Actions
Inhibitor
General Function
Vitamin d3 25-hydroxylase activity
Specific Function
Cytochromes P450 are a group of heme-thiolate monooxygenases. In liver microsomes, this enzyme is involved in an NADPH-dependent electron transport pathway. It performs a variety of oxidation react...
Gene Name
CYP3A4
Uniprot ID
P08684
Uniprot Name
Cytochrome P450 3A4
Molecular Weight
57342.67 Da
References
  1. Dresser GK, Wacher V, Wong S, Wong HT, Bailey DG: Evaluation of peppermint oil and ascorbyl palmitate as inhibitors of cytochrome P4503A4 activity in vitro and in vivo. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Sep;72(3):247-55. doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.126409. [Article]
  2. Sato Y, Sasaki T, Takahashi S, Kumagai T, Nagata K: Development of a highly reproducible system to evaluate inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity by natural medicines. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2015;18(4):316-27. doi: 10.18433/j3vk5g. [Article]

Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at March 18, 2024 16:48