Fig. 1

Timeline of the experimental procedure for ischemic stroke induction and menthol (ME) application. A ME (8% or 16% in 95% ethanol), water or ethanol  was applied topically for 1 min to each paw or to the back after 20 min of MCAO, and for 15 s once daily thereafter until Day 6. Oral treatment consisted of menthol (200 mg/kg) administered via oral gavage. The AMTB-treated group was administered a single AMTB (4 mg/kg i.p.) injection 30 min before menthol treatment. Lidocaine-treated mice received lidocaine injections (2%, 10 μL) in the wrists and ankles before topical menthol application. All mice were subjected to 20 min of MCAO and observed for 1, 2 or 7 days. Behavior testing was conducted at baseline and on Days 1, 3 and 6. B Front and hind paws of mice were immersed in menthol, water or ethanol. C 16% ME (200 µL) was applied to the skin of the back and then was wiped off after 1 min