Peppermint oil and caraway oil, the constituents of Menthacarin®, alleviate intestinal inflammation and ameliorate experimental colitis

Mentha x piperita L. and Carum carvi L. essential oils are established remedies in gastrointestinal disorders and are the constituents of the proprietary combination Menthacarin ®​ (90 mg peppermint oil WS ®​ 1340 and 50 mg caraway oil WS ®​ 1520). Menthacarin ®​ is clinically used for the treatment of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) and in vivo studies demonstrated an attenuation of experimental colitis via anti-inflammatory effects [ 1 ]. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of the individual oils on the disease course and inflammatory mediators in an experimental colitis model. Experimental colitis was induced by exposure of mice to 3% dextran sulfate sodium administered via drinking water for 7 days. In parallel, animals were treated orally with vehicle, peppermint oil (20 mg/ kg) or caraway oil (10 mg/kg). Body weight changes and colon length were determined, and pro-inflammatory markers associated with neutrophilic inflammation were assessed in colonic tissues by Bio-Plex Multiplex Immunoassay System. Peppermint oil and caraway oil attenuated body weight loss accompanied by a significantly reduced shortening of the colon. Further, in colonic tissues with DSS-induced inflammation the concentrations of G-CSF and KC were significantly decreased by either treatment. Colonic levels of IL-6 and IL-17A were also notably lowered by peppermint oil and showed a tendency to decrease with caraway oil. In conclusion, we show that both, peppermint oil and caraway oil, reduce severity of experimental colitis, which might be mediated by a reduced neutrophil-associated intestinal inflammation. This data indicates that both oils contribute to Menthacarin ®​ ’s attenuation of experimental colitis. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany