Salicylic acid

US Approved OTC

First marketed in 1860

Details

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Molecular Formula	C7H6O3
Molecular Weight	138.1207
Optical Activity	NONE
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Charge	0

SHOW SMILES / InChI

Structure Search

SMILES

OC(=O)C1=C(O)C=CC=C1

InChI

InChIKey=YGSDEFSMJLZEOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C7H6O3/c8-6-4-2-1-3-5(6)7(9)10/h1-4,8H,(H,9,10)

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula	C7H6O3
Molecular Weight	138.1207
Charge	0
Count

Stereochemistry	ACHIRAL
Additional Stereochemistry	No
Defined Stereocenters	0 / 0
E/Z Centers	0
Optical Activity	NONE

Description
Sources: http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00936https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/022029s003lbl.pdf
Curator's Comment: Description was created based on several sources, including https://www.drugs.com/pro/salicylic-acid.html

Methyl salicylate (or methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate), also known as wintergreen oil, is a natural product and is present in white wine, tea, porcini mushroom Boletus edulis, Bourbon vanilla, clary sage, red sage and fruits including cherry, apple, raspberry, papaya and plum. Methyl salicylate is topically used in combination with methanol and under brand name SALONPAS to temporarily relieves mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: strains, sprains, simple backache, arthritis, bruises. The precise mechanism of action of methyl salicylate is not known, but there is suggested, that it cause dilation of the capillaries thereby increasing blood flow to the area.

CNS Activity

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary Target	Pharmacology	Potency
Cyclooxygenase-1 131 Target ID: CHEMBL221 Sources: http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00936	Inhibitor 8504
Cyclooxygenase-2 201 Target ID: CHEMBL230 Sources: http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00936	Inhibitor 8504
High mobility group protein B1 13 Target ID: CHEMBL2311236 Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26101955	Inhibitor 8504	1.48 nM [Kd]

Conditions

Condition	Modality	Highest Phase	Product
Strains and sprains 12 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/022029s003lbl.pdf	Palliative	Approved 8583	SALONPAS Approved Use Temporarily relieves mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: strains, sprains, simple backache, arthritis, bruises Launch Date 2008
Simple backache 18 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/022029s003lbl.pdf	Palliative	Approved 8583	SALONPAS Approved Use Temporarily relieves mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: strains, sprains, simple backache, arthritis, bruises Launch Date 2008
Arthritis 87 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/022029s003lbl.pdf	Palliative	Approved 8583	SALONPAS Approved Use Temporarily relieves mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: strains, sprains, simple backache, arthritis, bruises Launch Date 2008
Bruises 12 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/022029s003lbl.pdf	Palliative	Approved 8583	SALONPAS Approved Use Temporarily relieves mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: strains, sprains, simple backache, arthritis, bruises Launch Date 2008
Psoriasis 87 Sources: https://www.drugs.com/pro/salicylic-acid.html	Primary	Approved 8583	Salicylic Acid Approved Use Salicylic Acid 6% is a topical aid in the removal of excessive keratin in hyperkeratotic skin disorders including verrucae, and the various ichthyoses (vulgaris, sex-linked and lamellar), keratosis palmaris and plantaris keratosis pilaris, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and psoriasis (including body, scalp, palms and soles). Launch Date 2012
Keratosis palmaris 12 Sources: https://www.drugs.com/pro/salicylic-acid.html	Primary	Approved 8583	Salicylic Acid Approved Use Salicylic Acid 6% is a topical aid in the removal of excessive keratin in hyperkeratotic skin disorders including verrucae, and the various ichthyoses (vulgaris, sex-linked and lamellar), keratosis palmaris and plantaris keratosis pilaris, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and psoriasis (including body, scalp, palms and soles). Launch Date 2012
Ichthyosis vulgaris 12 Sources: https://www.drugs.com/pro/salicylic-acid.html	Primary	Approved 8583	Salicylic Acid Approved Use Salicylic Acid 6% is a topical aid in the removal of excessive keratin in hyperkeratotic skin disorders including verrucae, and the various ichthyoses (vulgaris, sex-linked and lamellar), keratosis palmaris and plantaris keratosis pilaris, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and psoriasis (including body, scalp, palms and soles). Launch Date 2012

T_1/2

Value	Dose	Co-administered	Analyte	Population
238 min EXPERIMENT https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022354915364558	500 mg single, intravenous dose: 500 mg route of administration: Intravenous experiment type: SINGLE co-administered:		SALICYLIC ACID plasma	Homo sapiens population: UNKNOWN age: UNKNOWN sex: MALE food status: UNKNOWN

Doses

Dose	Population	Adverse events
30 % 1 times / 2 weeks multiple, topical Dose: 30 %, 1 times / 2 weeks Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 30 %, 1 times / 2 weeks Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/	unhealthy, 23.05 ± 5.7 years Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 23.05 ± 5.7 years Sex: M+F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/	Other AEs: Redness, Scales... Other AEs: Redness Scales Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/

AEs

AE	Significance	Dose	Population
Redness		30 % 1 times / 2 weeks multiple, topical Dose: 30 %, 1 times / 2 weeks Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 30 %, 1 times / 2 weeks Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/	unhealthy, 23.05 ± 5.7 years Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 23.05 ± 5.7 years Sex: M+F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/
Scales		30 % 1 times / 2 weeks multiple, topical Dose: 30 %, 1 times / 2 weeks Route: topical Route: multiple Dose: 30 %, 1 times / 2 weeks Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/	unhealthy, 23.05 ± 5.7 years Health Status: unhealthy Age Group: 23.05 ± 5.7 years Sex: M+F Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27904577/

Overview

CYP3A4	CYP2C9	CYP2D6	hERG
substrate 1946	substrate 1193	substrate 1388

OverviewOther

Other Inhibitor	Other Substrate	Other Inducer
	CYP2C8 810 CYP2C19 1119 CYP2E1 729 CYP2A6 626 CYP2B6 776 UGT1A1 479 UGT1A3 470 UGT1A4 399 UGT1A6 343 UGT1A7 249 UGT1A8 323 UGT1A9 423 UGT1A10 331 UGT2B4 278 UGT2B7 456 UGT2B15 236 UGT2B17 237	CYP2E1 131

Drug as perpetrator

Target	Modality	Activity	Metabolite	Clinical evidence
CYP2E1 1146	inducer 1966 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9207195/	yes

Drug as victim

Target	Modality	Activity
CYP2A6 626	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	likely
CYP2B6 776	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	likely
CYP2E1 729	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	major
UGT1A4 399	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	no
UGT2B15 236	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	no
UGT2B17 237	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	no
CYP2C19 1119	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	yes
CYP2C8 810	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	yes
CYP2C9 1193	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	yes
CYP2D6 1388	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	yes
CYP3A4 1946	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25840124/	yes
UGT1A1 479	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT1A10 331	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT1A3 470	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT1A6 343	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT1A7 249	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT1A8 323	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT1A9 423	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT2B4 278	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes
UGT2B7 456	substrate 4014 Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16258079/	yes

Sourcing

Vendor/Aggregator	ID	URL
ChEBI	CHEBI:16914	https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=CHEBI:16914
ChemicalBook	CB1680010	https://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB1680010
eMolecules	478035	https://www.emolecules.com/cgi-bin/more?vid=478035
MolPort	MolPort-001-769-476	https://www.molport.com/shop/molecule-link/MolPort-001-769-476
ZINC	ZINC000000001554	http://zinc15.docking.org/substances/ZINC000000001554

PubMed

Title	Date	PubMed
Interaction of the Arabidopsis receptor protein kinase Wak1 with a glycine-rich protein, AtGRP-3.	2001-07-13	11335717
A novel pathway of aerobic benzoate catabolism in the bacteria Azoarcus evansii and Bacillus stearothermophilus.	2001-07-06	11306574
Selective suppression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta binding and cyclooxygenase-2 promoter activity by sodium salicylate in quiescent human fibroblasts.	2001-06-01	11278846
Laryngeal oedema caused by accidental ingestion of Oil of Wintergreen.	2001-05-11	11335011
6-hydroxydopamine increases hydroxyl free radical production and DNA damage in rat striatum.	2001-05-08	11338183
Measurement of free radical production by in vivo microdialysis during ischemia/reperfusion injury to skeletal muscle.	2001-05-01	11316577
Differential vulnerability of basal and apical hair cells is based on intrinsic susceptibility to free radicals.	2001-05	11335071
Asbestos causes apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells: role of iron-induced free radicals.	2001-05	11329530
Acanthoamoeba attachment to contact lenses.	2001-05	11320007
Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaves extract in the rat.	2001-05	11297864
Binding of cosalane--a novel highly lipophilic anti-HIV agent--to albumin and glycoprotein.	2001-05	11288110
Effect of fluvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, on nitric oxide-induced hydroxyl radical generation in the rat heart.	2001-04-30	11335104
Nuclear factor-kappaB activation is not involved in a MPTP model of Parkinson's disease.	2001-04-17	11303744
Uptake mechanism of valproic acid in human placental choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo).	2001-04-13	11334847
Increased sensitivity to sodium salicylate-induced apoptosis in drug-resistant leukemia L1210 cells.	2001-04-13	11299731
[Tolerability of a selective cyclooxygenase-2-inhibitor (rofecoxib) in patients with intolerance reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents].	2001-04-06	11332239
Comparison of the radical trapping ability of PBN, S-PPBN and NXY-059.	2001-04	11328677
Cyanide-resistant alternative respiration is strictly correlated to intracellular peroxide levels in Acremonium chrysogenum.	2001-04	11328676
[Principal constituents from flowering aerial parts of wild pansy].	2001-04	11320336
A novel jasmonic acid-inducible rice myb gene associates with fungal infection and host cell death.	2001-04	11310740
Abnormal callose response phenotype and hypersusceptibility to Peronospoara parasitica in defence-compromised arabidopsis nim1-1 and salicylate hydroxylase-expressing plants.	2001-04	11310731
Evaluation of insulin permeability and effects of absorption enhancers on its permeability by an in vitro pulmonary epithelial system using Xenopus pulmonary membrane.	2001-04	11305600
Nucleotide sequence analysis of 5'-flanking region of salicylate hydroxylase gene, and identification and purification of a LysR-type regulator, SalR.	2001-04	11298739
Nitric oxide: comparative synthesis and signaling in animal and plant cells.	2001-04	11286923
Sodium salicylate increases CYP2E1 levels and enhances arachidonic acid toxicity in HepG2 cells and cultured rat hepatocytes.	2001-04	11259624
Microdialysis of salicylic acid from viscous emulsion samples prior to high-performance liquid chromatographic determination.	2001-03-30	11307985
Flow-through UV spectrophotometric sensor for determination of (acetyl)salicylic acid in pharmaceutical preparations.	2001-03-23	11274811
ATR-FTIR spectroscopic investigations on the effect of solvents on the permeation of benzoic acid and salicylic acid through silicone membranes.	2001-03-23	11274806
Determination of salicylate, gentisic acid and salicyluric acid in human urine by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.	2001-03-05	11254191
A recessive mutation in the Arabidopsis SSI2 gene confers SA- and NPR1-independent expression of PR genes and resistance against bacterial and oomycete pathogens.	2001-03	11309146
Signaling mediated by the closely related mammalian Rho family GTPases TC10 and Cdc42 suggests distinct functional pathways.	2001-03	11306516
The Arabidopsis downy mildew resistance gene, RPP13-Nd, functions independently of NDR1 and EDS1 and does not require the accumulation of salicylic acid.	2001-03	11277440
Development of QSARs to investigate the bacterial toxicity and biotransformation potential of aromatic heterocylic compounds.	2001-03	11272910
Interference by bilirubin in salicylate measurement.	2001-03	11269759
Effect of lipophilicity on in vivo iontophoretic delivery. I. NSAIDs.	2001-03	11256485
Identification of free radicals produced during phacoemulsification.	2001-03	11255062
A hot pepper cDNA encoding a pathogenesis-related protein 4 is induced during the resistance response to tobacco mosaic virus.	2001-02-28	11266114
Molecular cloning of the nahG gene encoding salicylate hydroxylase from Pseudomonas fluorescens.	2001-02-28	11266111
Hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma (four cases in three generations).	2001-02	11328395
Induction of wound response gene expression in tomato leaves by ionophores.	2001-02	11289608
Isolation and preliminary characterization of the medium-chain fatty acid:CoA ligase responsible for activation of short- and medium-chain fatty acids in colonic mucosa from swine.	2001-02	11281196
Non-ionic micellar affinity capillary electrophoresis for analysis of interactions between micelles and drugs.	2001-02	11272320
Estrogenic activity of phenolic additives determined by an in vitro yeast bioassay.	2001-02	11266322
Acetylsalicylic acid and other salicylates in relation to Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.	2001-02	11259991
Increased leukotriene production by food additives in patients with atopic dermatitis and proven food intolerance.	2001-02	11251628
Pathogen-induced expression of plant ATP: citrate lyase.	2001-01-19	11271173
Characterization of PBZ1, a probenazole-inducible gene, in suspension-cultured rice cells.	2001-01	11272832
The central catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor tolcapone increases striatal hydroxyl radical production in L-DOPA/carbidopa treated rats.	2001	11314772
Directed control of electroosmotic flow in nonaqueous electrolytes using poly(ethylene glycol) coated capillaries.	2001	11296921
The solvent shells of cluster ions produced by direct electric field extraction from glycerol/water mixtures.	2001	11268133

Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide

The preferable method of use is to apply Salicylic Acid 6% thoroughly to the affected area and to cover the treated area at night after washing and before retiring. Preferably, the skin should be hydrated for a least five minutes prior to application.

Route of Administration: Topical

In Vitro Use Guide

Salicylic acid inhibited hippuric acid formation in the homogenates obtained from the specimens of human liver with IC50 value 0.19 mM

Substance Class	Chemical Created by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 17:50:19 GMT 2025` Edited by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 17:50:19 GMT 2025`
Record UNII	O414PZ4LPZ
Record Status	`Validated (UNII)`
Record Version

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Name

Type

Language

Salicylic acid

Official Name

English

SALICYLICUM ACIDUM

Preferred Name

English

LAMIVUDINE IMPURITY C [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [USP-RS]

Common Name

English

2-HYDROXYBENZENECARBOXYLIC ACID

Systematic Name

English

COMPOUND W

Brand Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [USP]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [JAN]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [VANDF]

Common Name

English

DR. SCHOLL'S CALLUS REMOVERS

Brand Name

English

FEMA NO. 3985

Code

English

SALICYLIC ACID [USP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [MART.]

Common Name

English

SULFASALAZINE IMPURITY H [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

SALICYLICUM ACIDUM [HPUS]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [GREEN BOOK]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [MI]

Common Name

English

ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID IMPURITY C [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [HSDB]

Common Name

English

NSC-180

Code

English

2-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID [FHFI]

Common Name

English

CARBASALATE CALCIUM IMPURITY C [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

Salicylic acid [WHO-DD]

Common Name

English

DL-LYSINE ACETYLSALICYLATE IMPURITY A [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

2-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

Systematic Name

English

ACIDUM SALICYLICUM [WHO-IP LATIN]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [EP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

SALICYLIC ACID [WHO-IP]

Common Name

English

K-557

Code

English

MESALAZINE IMPURITY H [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

Classification Tree Code System Code

CFR

21 CFR 358.710