Methol is the technical name for methyl alcohol, a type of wood spirit. It belongs to the class of alcohols known as methalcohols. Define Dictionary Meaning is an online definition dictionary where anyone can contribute and add their definitions. Anyone can contribute without an account, and everyone can view the definition of methol. This article focuses on methol’s biological effects and how it differs from other alcohols. It is important to learn more about the chemical substance before using it.
Synonyms
You’ve probably seen the chemical compound Methanol in the news, or you’ve seen it spelled as methane. Regardless of how you spell it, you can easily find synonyms for methol on Words With Friends or Scrabble. Methanol is also worth 13 Scrabble points. Whether you’re using this chemical or putting it in your vocabulary, these two words will make it a great addition to your dictionary.
Methanol, also called carbinol and methyl hydroxide, is a highly flammable liquid and vapor. It can be irritating to the skin, eye, respiratory tract, and central nervous system. Additionally, it can impair vision and disrupt vision. Lastly, it is toxic and can lead to blindness. Here are some of its synonyms:
Biological effects
Studies have shown that menthol can suppress contractions of coronary arteries, mesenteric arteries, and the aorta in rat models. It has also been shown to inhibit contractions of intestinal smooth muscle and gastrointestinal circular muscle. Both cold and menthol have a similar voltage dependence of these receptors. Here, we discuss the biological effects of methol. The effects of methol on the nervous system are outlined below.
Biological effects of methol include inhibiting pain perception. In experiments, methol inhibits the activity of VGSCs, which are involved in central nervous system pain. Moreover, methol and ethanol inhibited compound action potentials. These effects were observed in a single-centre study of 16 healthy subjects. The subjects were tested twice after receiving a topical application of either menthol or ethanol.
Earlier patch-clamp studies on menthol revealed that the substance suppressed whole-cell Na+ currents. The IC50 for menthol was 571 mM in neuronal cells and 376 mM in skeletal muscle fibers. This IC50 value increased with increasing percentage of inactivated channels. Therefore, preferential blocking of VGSC in the inactivated state may be responsible for the antinociceptive effects of menthol.
Despite the widespread use of menthol in food and confections, the drug has many negative health effects, particularly when combined with nicotine. Its addition to cigarette smoke increases the number of fine particles in the air, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The Lorillard Tobacco Company published a paper in 2010 that concluded that menthol does not affect the inherent toxicity of cigarette smoke, but this conclusion has been refuted by independent scientific literature.
Menthol is a plant-derived monoterpene, a class of phytochemicals found in essential oils. It has various uses in pharmaceuticals, oral hygiene products, pesticides, and cosmetics. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. Furthermore, it influences TRP channels and alters their functions, which may contribute to its biological effects. Therefore, menthol has been studied extensively and has the potential to play a role in the regulation of various metabolic processes in the body.
Food additive
Food additives are substances that are added to foods to improve their colour, flavour, texture, and freshness. A small percentage of people are sensitive to certain food additives. Because of this, proper diagnosis is crucial. Food additive sensitivity may also be caused by other illnesses. Food additives may include preservatives, flavour enhancers, and colourings. Listed below are some common additives that can cause allergic reactions.
The EU’s Food Safety Agency (EFSA) performs safety assessments for food additives, based on the latest scientific data. The EFSA uses its database to assess the safety of each additive, as well as the level of consumption that can cause adverse reactions in humans. In addition to the safety assessment, EFSA also considers the potential toxicity of food additives to identify the most safe amount to consume per day. It also includes an acceptable daily intake (ADI), which is the lowest level of consumption that can lead to adverse effects over the course of a person’s life.
Before an additive can be added to food, it must be approved by the FDA. The FDA must approve it if it is reasonably expected to become a component of food. The FDA has also changed the procedures for approving food additives to include USDA consultation. The FDA uses these methods to monitor the amount of additives in foods and monitor how many people are consuming them. Additionally, the FDA reviews new research to determine the safety of new additives.
In the EU, a substance must be listed as an ingredient on a food label. The EU has approved food additives using an E-number system. By using this system, food manufacturers can conveniently label their products with the approved additives. However, the EU requires that all food additives list their E-number on the labels. The E-number system was introduced in the 1970s after researchers started to identify a link between diet changes and behavioral problems.
Methyl violet (Chem.)
Typically a blue-green powder with an intensely violet color, methyl violet (Chem.) has strong tinting properties and was first synthesized in 1861 by Lauth. Today, it is used as a wood dye, biological stain, acid-base indicator, and more. This chemical is soluble in water and ethanol but insoluble in glycerol, ether, and chloroform.
Despite the risk, this chemical is widely used in textile dyeing. It has been found that about 15% of textile dyes produced around the world are discharged in wastewater. There are numerous methods used to reduce this pollution, including chemical bleaching, which destroys methyl violet completely. Common bleaches such as sodium hypochlorite and sodium dithionite are effective in reducing methyl violet. While oxidation may destroy the dye completely, this method may not be appropriate for some applications.
The staining reagent for methyl violet is a solution of 9 g/l NaCl. The anticoagulant must be removed from the blood before the staining is conducted. After the blood has been suspended, the films are prepared. The film is used to observe the cells suspended in the suspension. Heinz bodies are present in the cells and will stain a deep purple. In severe cases, the underlying tissues will appear purple in colour.
Crystal violet, sometimes referred to as gentian violet, is a triamino-triphenylmethane dye. It is also used in bacterial Gram staining. Its antiviral effect is also prominent. Crystal violet is also a component of Gram staining, which helps differentiate gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in tissue culture samples. Its different cell walls produce different responses to crystal violet. Crystal violet also exhibits cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on cell lines.