Menthol as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Enhanced Wound Healing

Abstract

Menthol is a natural compound derived from mint plants, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for wound healing due to its multimodal biological activities. This review synthesizes current evidence on menthol’s mechanisms of action, including its antimicrobial properties against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, its ability to modulate inflammation by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-6), and its role in promoting tissue regeneration through enhanced microcirculation and anti-edema effects. Clinical applications demonstrate its efficacy in accelerating wound closure, particularly in formulations combined with zinc oxide nanoparticles or silver ions for chronic wounds. Additionally, menthol exhibits protective effects in liver and gastrointestinal injury models by reducing inflammatory markers (e.g., Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and preserving tissue integrity. Despite its potential, challenges such as optimal dosing and delivery systems remain. Future research should focus on clinical trials and novel derivatives (e.g., amino acid menthyl esters) to expand its therapeutic applications.