(-)-Menthol

The effects of (-)-menthol on WEHI-3 cells in vivo (BALB/c mice) were also examined, and it was observed that the Mac-3 and CD11b markers were decreased, indicating inhibition of differentiation of the precursor of macrophage and granulocyte. The weights of liver and spleen samples from mice treated with (-)-menthol were found to be decreased compared to untreated animals. (-)-Menthol has been shown to be toxic in animals, but in humans, it is considered to be safe, with a small cardio-accelerating effect. At high doses (-)-menthol may exert a depressant effect on the central nervous system in rodents. (-)-menthol statistically decreases the weights of the liver and spleen in the examined animals and also decreases the percentage of MAC-3 and CD11b cells in the blood.[1].

(-)-Menthol induces cytotoxicity against murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vitro in a dosedependent manner. (-)-Menthol inhibits the growth of rat liver epithelial tumor cells and acts as a potent chemopreventive agent during DMBA initiation of rat mammary tumors. (-)-menthol inhibits N-acetyltransferase activity. It also is found to inhibit the DNA topoisomerase I, II alpha and beta and to promote NF-kappaB expression in human gastric cancer SNU-5 cells. Additionally, (-)-menthol induces human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell death through the Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum[1].

Ethanol:29 mg/mL (185.6 mM),DMSO:29 mg/mL (185.6 mM),H2O:13 mg/mL (83.2 mM)

Approximately 2x105 cells (WEHI-3) are incubated in 12-well plates containing medium for 24 h without (control) or with various concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μM) of (-)-menthol. The cells are harvested and washed with PBS before PI staining. The percentage of viable WEHI-3 cells is determined by trypan blue exclusion and flow cytometry. (Only for Reference)