Methyl salicylate

Methyl salicylate

Methyl salicylate relieve musculoskeletal pain in the muscles, joints, and tendons by causing irritation and reddening of the skin due to dilated capillaries and increased blood flow. It is pharmacologically similar to aspirin and other NSAIDs but as a topical agent it primarily acts as a rubefacient and skin irritant. It reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzyme and locally and peripherally prevents the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin and thromboxane A2. Ointments or liniments containing methyl salicylate are applied topically as counter irritant for relief of acute pain associated with lumbago, sciatica and rheumatic conditions. It is used as a local analgesic for human and veterinary medicine.

methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate | methyl salicylate