2-(l-Menthoxy)ethanol has been frequently employed as a flavoring agent; however, data regarding 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol toxicity remain limited. We performed a 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in male and female F344 rats, with doses of 0, 15, 60, or 250 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day orally administered by gavage using corn oil as the vehicle. No significant toxicological changes in general condition, body weight, or food intake were observed in any groups. The hematological assessment showed decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin and increased platelet count in the male 250 mg/kg group. Serum biochemistry revealed elevated total cholesterol in the 250 mg/kg group of male and female rats, reduced triglyceride in the female 250 mg/kg group, and increased total protein in the male 250 mg/kg group, indicating effects on lipid metabolism and protein synthesis. For organ weights, absolute and relative weights of the liver and adrenal glands were increased in the 250 mg/kg group of both sexes and the male 250 mg/kg group, respectively. Histopathological analysis showed chronic nephropathy in the male 15 mg/kg or higher groups, with increased absolute and relative kidney weights, as well as elevated serum creatinine, in the male 60 and 250 mg/kg groups. However, eosinophilic granules containing α2u-globulin were identified in proximal tubules, suggesting α2u-globulin nephropathy specific to male rats and without toxicological significance. These results indicated that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol was 60 mg/kg BW/day for both sexes.
Bleeding during surgical procedures is a common complication. Therefore, hemostatic agents have been developed to control bleeding, and fibrin sealants have several benefits. sFilm-FS is a novel fibrin sealant that comprises a biodegradable co-polymeric film embedded with human fibrinogen and thrombin. Herein, the safety and efficacy of sFilm-FS were compared using a liver and spleen puncture model of Göttingen minipigs with those of the standard hemostatic techniques (control animals) and EVARREST®, a reference fibrin sealant. Hemostasis and reduced blood loss were more effectively achieved with sFilm-FS than with the standard techniques in the control animals and comparable to those achieved with EVARREST®. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed in any of the groups. Histopathological evaluation indicated that sFilm-FS was slightly and moderately reactive at the liver puncture site and spleen, respectively, compared with the standard techniques in the control animals. These changes are expected degradation reactions of the co-polymeric film and are not considered as adverse events. No treatment-related abnormalities were noted in the other evaluated organs. Additionally, no evidence of local or systemic thromboses was noted. These results support the use of sFilm-FS for hemostasis in humans.