| abstract |
Although an emulsion prepared by emulsifying l-menthol with an emulsifier alone remains stable within several hours after the preparation, l-menthol therein is then gradually separated out and migrates towards the surface. As l-menthol is separated out from the emulsion as described above, the component distribution in the emulsion becomes uneven. When such an emulsion is sprayed as a peristalsis controller onto, for example, the stomach wall, no constant effect can be achieved and, therefore, it is required to prepare the emulsion immediately before using. An oil-in-water emulsion of l-menthol which remains stable without suffering from the separation of l-menthol can be obtained by mixing l-menthol with a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester or a mixture thereof, an emulsifier and water and then emulsifying. When directly sprayed to, for example, the inside of a digestive tract, this emulsion immediately and continuously exhibits its effect of controlling the peristalsis. It can be safely used for a subject under contraindications for the use of scopolamine butyl bromide, for example, a patient with glaucoma. |