Description
Icilin is an agonist at transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels; it may block transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) channels. Icilin displays both hyperalgesic and analgesic activities as well as anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Activation of TRPM8 channels induces hyperalgesia and allodynia, but long-term activation desensitizes the channels to induce pain relief. Like menthol, icilin acts as a cooling agent, as TRPM8 channels are cold-sensitive. In animal models of colitis, icilin decreases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Icilin inhibits cell motility in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells and also decreases levels of E2F1 and induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer cells.