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Comparing a 182mg Colon-targeted-delivery Peppermint Oil Capsule (Tempocol-ColoPulse®) and a 182mg Enteric-coated Peppermint Oil Capsule (Tempocol®), a Pharmacokinetic Study

A Randomized, Double Blind, Single Dose, Two Treatment, Two Period Crossover Pharmacokinetic Study Comparing a 182mg Colon-targeted-delivery Peppermint Oil Capsule (Tempocol-ColoPulse®) and a 182mg Enteric-coated Peppermint Oil Capsule (Tempocol®) in Healthy Volunteers

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02291445
Enrollment
8
Registered
2014-11-14
Start date
2015-03-31
Completion date
2015-09-30
Last updated
2022-01-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Abdominal Pain, Colonic Diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Visceral Pain

Keywords

Peppermint oil, Menthol, Volatile oil, Plant oil, Visceral pain, Abdominal pain, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Colonic disease

Brief summary

This is a pilot study to compare the relative bioavailability between two peppermint oil formulations, namely a ileocolonic release peppermint oil and an small intestinal release peppermint oil (Tempocol®). This study is conducted as part of a future multicenter randomized controlled trial that will assess the therapeutic effect of the new peppermint oil formulation in IBS patients.

Detailed description

Rationale: Peppermint oil has shown to be effective in the treatment of IBS symptoms in several meta-analyses. However, the level of evidence is moderate and peppermint oil remains relatively under-used in IBS. Therefore the investigators plan to conduct a multicenter randomized controlled trial to investigate the possible beneficial effects of peppermint oil in IBS. To improve efficacy and to reduce side effects, the investigators aim to study the use of a new peppermint oil formulation that will slowly release the oil in the (ileo-) colonic region specifically. In order to demonstrate differences in pharmacokinetics, the subsidizing party, ZonMW, requested an additional pilot study (described in the present protocol) in which the investigators will investigate surrogate markers for local colon bioavailability, tolerability and side effects of the new ileocolonic release PO. Study design: a randomized, double blind, two-period, two-treatment crossover study with a wash out period of at least 14 days. Intervention: All study volunteers will receive a single dose of 182mg of both ileocolonic release peppermint oil and small intestinal release peppermint oil, each on a different test day. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Subjects may be confronted with certain inconveniences and minor risks. They are required to visit the MUMC+ 5 times, once for the screening and two times per test day for various non-invasive measurements (questionnaires, blood pressure and heart-rate measurement, urine and fecal sampling, pregnancy test in women in fertile ages, general physical exam) as well as for minor invasive venous blood sampling, after which a small haematoma can occur. Total time investment is +/- 30 hours, subjects will not benefit from participation.

Interventions

DRUGMenthae piperitae aetheroleum/peppermint oil (enteric coated capsule)

Peppermint oil capsule available as an over the counter prescription drug on the Dutch market.

DRUGMenthae piperitae aetheroleum/peppermint oil (colon-targeted-delivery capsule)

Peppermint oil capsule with a coating developed according to the ColoPulse® technology, ensuring a pulsatile and therefore slower release in a lower part of the intestinal tract compared to Tempocol, namely in the (ileo-)colonic region.

Sponsors

ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
CollaboratorOTHER
Maastricht University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Based on medical history and previous examination, no gastrointestinal complaints can be defined * Age between 18 and 65 years * BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m2 and a weight of at least 50 kilograms * Women in fertile age (\<55 years old) must use contraception or be postmenopausal for at least two years

Exclusion criteria

* History of severe or chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal/ hepatic, hematological/immunologic, HEENT (head, ears, eyes, nose, throat), dermatological/connective tissue, musculoskeletal, metabolic/nutritional, endocrine, neurological/psychiatric diseases, allergy, major surgery and/or laboratory assessments which might limit participation in or completion of the study protocol * Use of medication, including vitamin and iron supplementation, except oral contraceptives, within 14 days prior to start of the study * Administration of investigational drugs or participation in any scientific intervention study which may interfere with this study (to be decided by the principle investigator), in the 180 days prior to the study * Major abdominal surgery interfering with gastrointestinal function (uncomplicated appendectomy, cholecystectomy and hysterectomy allowed, and other surgery upon judgment of the principle investigator) * Dieting (for example lactose-free, gluten-free, caloric-restrictive, vegetarian or vegan, macrobiotic diet) * Pregnancy, lactation * High alcohol consumption (\>15 alcoholic consumptions per week) * Smoking/ Using drugs of abuse * Self-admitted HIV-positive state * Known allergic reaction to peppermint * High intake of caffeine (\>8 cups coffee a day)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
T-max24 hoursTime to reach maximum menthol-glucuronide (main constituent of peppermint oil after conversion by the liver) concentration in plasma

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
T-lag24 hoursTime until a measurable plasma concentration of menthol-glucuronide occurs after oral administration of peppermint oil (45ug/L)
AUC24 hoursArea under the plasma concentration-time curve from t=0 hrs until t=24 hrs.
T1/224 hourselimination half-life; time required for the plasma concentration of menthol-glucuronide to reach half of its original value.
C-max24 hoursMenthol-glucuronide (main constituent of peppermint oil after conversion by the liver) peak plasma concentrations
L-Menthol Concentration in Feces+/- 24 hours
Difference in Total Number of Side Effects Per Time Point.24 hours
Tolerability Assessed by Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Reported Side Effects24 hoursAssessed by heart rate, blood pressure and reported side effects.
Menthol-glucuronide Urine Exretion Time Curve24 hours

Countries

Netherlands

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

This was a crossover design.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Ileocolonic Release PO on First Test Day
Ileocolonic release PO is a targeted ileocolonic release peppermint oil capsule that releases peppermint oil in the (ileo-) colonic region specifically. Menthae piperitae aetheroleum/peppermint oil (colon-targeted-delivery capsule): Peppermint oil capsule with a coating developed according to the ColoPulse® technology, ensuring a pulsatile and therefore slower release in a lower part of the intestinal tract compared to Tempocol, namely in the (ileo-)colonic region.
4
Small Intestinal Release PO on First Test Day
Small Intestinal Release PO (Tempocol®) is an enteric-coated peppermint oil capsule that delivers peppermint oil in the upper small intestine. Menthae piperitae aetheroleum/peppermint oil (enteric coated capsule): Peppermint oil capsule available as an over the counter prescription drug on the Dutch market.
4
Total8

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicIleocolonic Release PO on First Test DaySmall Intestinal Release PO on First Test DayTotal
Age, Continuous21.7 years24.1 years22.2 years
BMI21.5 kg/m^221.7 kg/m^221.5 kg/m^2
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants4 Participants8 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Netherlands
4 participants4 participants8 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants1 Participants4 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants3 Participants4 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
4 / 82 / 8
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 80 / 8

Outcome results

Primary

T-max

Time to reach maximum menthol-glucuronide (main constituent of peppermint oil after conversion by the liver) concentration in plasma

Time frame: 24 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Ileocolonic Release POT-max360 minutes
Small Intestinal Release POT-max180 minutes
Secondary

AUC

Area under the plasma concentration-time curve from t=0 hrs until t=24 hrs.

Time frame: 24 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Ileocolonic Release POAUC2331 ug*h/L
Small Intestinal Release POAUC2623 ug*h/L
Secondary

C-max

Menthol-glucuronide (main constituent of peppermint oil after conversion by the liver) peak plasma concentrations

Time frame: 24 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Ileocolonic Release POC-max563.6 ug/L
Small Intestinal Release POC-max702 ug/L
Secondary

Difference in Total Number of Side Effects Per Time Point.

Time frame: 24 hours

Secondary

L-Menthol Concentration in Feces

Time frame: +/- 24 hours

Secondary

Menthol-glucuronide Urine Exretion Time Curve

Time frame: 24 hours

Population: No urine analysis was performed due to lack in funding. In addition, it was felt that the systemic concentration of menthol glucuronide concentration provided enough information to answer the research question.

Secondary

T1/2

elimination half-life; time required for the plasma concentration of menthol-glucuronide to reach half of its original value.

Time frame: 24 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Ileocolonic Release POT1/26.1 hours
Small Intestinal Release POT1/27.7 hours
Secondary

T-lag

Time until a measurable plasma concentration of menthol-glucuronide occurs after oral administration of peppermint oil (45ug/L)

Time frame: 24 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Ileocolonic Release POT-lag225 minutes
Small Intestinal Release POT-lag37 minutes
Secondary

Tolerability Assessed by Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Reported Side Effects

Assessed by heart rate, blood pressure and reported side effects.

Time frame: 24 hours

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 5, 2026