Effect of l-menthol on the thermotropic behavior of ceramide 2/cholesterol mixtures as a model for the intercellular lipids in stratum corneum

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2009 Oct 1;73(1):116-21. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2009.05.007. Epub 2009 May 18.

Abstract

The major components of the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum are ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL) and free fatty acids. To estimate the effects of l-menthol on the intercellular lipids, we elucidated the thermotropic behavior and lateral structure of a CER2/CHOL mixture. This formed a eutectic mixture at molar fraction of CHOL (Xch) = 0.6, as a lamellar structure with a repeat distance of 3.99 nm, and it showed a hexagonal hydrocarbon chain packing conformation at ambient temperature. In thermograms of the CER2/CHOL mixtures, the addition of l-menthol broadened the transition peaks and reduced the enthalpy of transition. The effect of l-menthol on the change in transition temperature of the eutectic mixture at Xch = 0.6 was weaker than for other molar fractions of CHOL. This suggested that the structure of the eutectic mixture was stable to the effects of l-menthol. Furthermore, l-menthol increased the repeat distance of the lamellar structure and inhibited the formation of hexagonal hydrocarbon chain packing. Therefore, l-menthol induced a disturbance of the lateral structure of the eutectic mixture of CER2/CHOL and the phase transition became unclear. These effects of l-menthol could enhance transdermal drug delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Ceramides / chemistry*
  • Cholesterol / chemistry*
  • Epidermis / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Menthol / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phase Transition
  • Thermodynamics
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Lipids
  • Menthol
  • Cholesterol