Menthacarin® desensitizes TRPA1 channels

Menthacarin® is a proprietary combination of 90 mg essential oil (EO) from Mentha x piperita L. and 50 mg EO of Carum carvi that has demonstrated efficacy in patients suffering from functional gastrointestinal complaints [1]. Transient receptor protein (TRP) channels are believed to play a relevant role in visceral hypersensitivity. Hence, modulation of TRPs represents an interesting potential therapeutic approach [2]. We aimed to characterize the TRP modulatory potential of Menthacarin and the relative contribution of its individual oil constituents in an in vitro study.