Isopulegol

Isopulegol is a monoterpenoid alcohol occurring at low levels in many citrus and mint essential oils.

Skin. Undiluted material was severely irritating to rabbits but at 50 percent was non-irritating to guinea pigs. An 8 percent patch test on 10 volunteers caused no irritation and on 25 volunteers no sensitization. In a 48-hour closed-patch test on 30 volunteers, 10 and 20 percent produced no irritant reactions. Not phototoxic in guinea pigs up to 50 percent.

Oral. Acute oral LD50 in rats is 1.03 g/kg, with noted ataxia, CNS depression and slight pulmonary hyperemia. Acute dermal LD50 in rabbits is around 3 mL/kg.

Mutagenicity. Not mutagenic in Salmonella strains TA98, TA100, TA1525 and TA1537, with or without S9. Also not mutagenic in E. coli.

Isopulegol is a biosynthetic precursor of menthol and can be used as a mint-citrus note in perfumery.