薄荷脑的药理作用及开发应用现状

Pharmacological effects of menthol and its present development and application

薄荷脑是薄荷挥发油的主要成分,是一种单萜类有机化合物。本文对薄荷脑的药理作用及其在医药领域的开发应用现状进行系统归纳发现,薄荷脑可通过作用于瞬时受体电位(TRP)通道亚家族M成员8、5-羟色胺系统、γ-氨基丁酸系统等,保护中枢神经系统;可通过温感调节、缓解热应激压力等调节体温;可通过调控前列腺素E_2、白三烯B_4等炎症介质的产生和释放,以及TRP通道介导的细胞免疫效应发挥抗炎作用;可通过激活经典痛觉靶点,增强抑制性突触传递等发挥镇痛作用;可通过破坏角质层,促进透皮吸收;可通过调控肿瘤细胞增殖、凋亡和黏附途径等,发挥抗肿瘤作用。薄荷脑既可作为药用辅料,用于药物矫味;也可作为活性成分,在疾病治疗过程中发挥重要药理作用,具有潜在的开发价值。

Menthol is the main component of mint volatile oil and a monoterpenoid organic compound.This article systematically summarizes the pharmacological effects,present development and application status of menthol.It is found that menthol can protect the central nervous system through acting on the transient receptor potential(TRP)channel subfamily M member 8,5-hydroxytryptamine system,γ-aminobutyric acid system,etc.Menthol can regulate body temperature through temperature adjustment,relieving heat stress,and other means.It can play an anti-inflammatory role by regulating the production and release of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4,and exert anti-inflammatory effects through cellular immune effect mediated by TRP channel.It can play analgesic role by activating classic pain perception targets and enhancing inhibitory synaptic transmission.It can promote transdermal absorption by destroying the stratum corneum.It can exert anti-tumor effects by regulating tumor cell proliferation,apoptosis,and adhesion pathways.Menthol can be used as a medicinal excipient for correcting the taste of drugs;it can also serve as an active ingredient and play an important pharmacological role in the treatment of disease,with potential development value.