Description
Methyl salicylate can be found in Spiraea, Betula, and Gaultheria; it exhibits analgesic activity. Methyl salicylate is commercially used as an antiseptic, a wintergreen flavorant/tastant, and as a fragrance. In vitro, methyl salicylate displays both agonist and antagonist activity at transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels. Metabolites of methyl salicylate exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in vivo similar to those displayed by most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
References
Tieman D, Zeigler M, Schmelz E, et al. Functional analysis of a tomato salicylic acid methyl transferase and its role in synthesis of the flavor volatile methyl salicylate. Plant J. 2010 Apr 1;62(1):113-23. PMID: 20070566.
Ohta T, Imagawa T, Ito S. Involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 in analgesic action of methylsalicylate. Mol Pharmacol. 2009 Feb;75(2):307-17. PMID: 18987162.
James DG, Price TS. Field-testing of methyl salicylate for recruitment and retention of beneficial insects in grapes and hops. J Chem Ecol. 2004 Aug;30(8):1613-28. PMID: 15537163.
Mason L, Moore RA, Edwards JE, et al. Systematic review of efficacy of topical rubefacients containing salicylates for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. BMJ. 2004 Apr 24;328(7446):995. PMID: 15033879.
