Some steroid hormone-like effects of menthol.

Menthol or menthone, or both, like progesterone, have been shown to have the following biological activities: (i) an inhibitory action on liver and kidney aldehyde dehydrogenase activity which, under certain circumstances, is reflected in an increased rate of oxidation of D-galactose, and (ii) a stimulatory effect on the oxidation of D-galactose by two prepubertal congenitally galactosemic subjects.