Carveol
Carveol is a natural unsaturated, monocyclic monoterpenoid alcohol that is a constituent of spearmint essential oil in the form of cis--carveol. It is a colorless fluid soluble in oils, but insoluble in water and has an odor and flavor that resemble those of spearmint and caraway. Consequently, it is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and as a flavor additive in the food industry.
It has been found to exhibit chemoprevention of mammary carcinogenesis.
An alpha-trans-dihydroxy derivative, -3-methyl-6-cyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol, possesses potent antiparkinsonian activity in animal models.
