Methyl Salicylate (Wintergreen oil)

Methyl Salicylate (Wintergreen oil) is a topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. Also used as a pesticide, a denaturant, a fragrance ingredient, and a flavoring agent in food and tobacco products[1]. A systemic acquired resistance (SAR) signal in tobacco[2]. A topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Methyl salicylate lactoside is a COX inhibitor[4].

Methyl Salicylate is a systemic acquired resistance signal in tobacco. It (0-1 mg/L) esterases activity of salicylic acid-binding protein 2 (SABP2), which converts MeSA into salicylic acid (SA), is required for SAR signal perception in systemic tissue[2].

[1]. Greene T, et al. A critical review of the literature to conduct a toxicity assessment for oral exposure to methyl salicylate. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2017 Feb;47(2):98-120. [2]. Park SW, et al. Methyl salicylate is a critical mobile signal for plant systemic acquired resistance. Science. 2007 Oct 5;318(5847):113-6. [3]. Lapczynski A, et al. Fragrance material review on methyl salicylate. Food Chem Toxicol. 2007;45 Suppl 1:S428-52. [4]. Xin W, et al. Methyl salicylate lactoside inhibits inflammatory response of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and joint destruction in collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Br J Pharmacol. 2014 Jul;171(14):3526-38.