# Methyl Jasmonate

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/methyl-jasmonate
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-31
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** MeJA, Methyl 3-oxo-2-(2-pentenyl)cyclopentaneacetate, Jasmonic acid methyl ester, Methyl jasmonic acid, 3-Oxo-2-(2-pentenyl)cyclopentaneacetic acid methyl ester, Jasmine methyl ester

## Overview

Methyl jasmonate is a plant-derived cyclopentanone signaling molecule from jasmine that activates jasmonate signaling pathways involved in [stress response](/ingredients/condition/stress) and apoptosis. Research focuses on its ability to selectively induce programmed cell death in cancer cells by targeting [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) pathways without affecting normal cells.

## Health Benefits

• Potential cancer treatment applications (evidence quality: preliminary research only, no human trials available) • Plant-derived signaling molecule under investigation for therapeutic properties (evidence quality: no clinical evidence) • Natural compound from jasmine with bioactive potential (evidence quality: no human studies identified) • Subject of early research for medicinal applications (evidence quality: no RCTs or clinical data) • Volatile organic compound with theoretical health applications (evidence quality: no human trials documented)

## Mechanism of Action

Methyl jasmonate induces apoptosis in cancer cells by directly targeting the [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) permeability transition pore, causing cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. It detaches the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase from the mitochondrial outer membrane, disrupting the Warburg effect that cancer cells depend on for energy. Additionally, it modulates [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (ROS) accumulation and suppresses Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins, shifting the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio toward cell death.

## Clinical Summary

Research on methyl jasmonate remains almost entirely preclinical, confined to in vitro cell line studies and rodent models with no completed human clinical trials published as of 2024. In vitro studies using concentrations of 1–3 mM have demonstrated cytotoxic effects against breast, prostate, and leukemia cell lines, with selective toxicity favoring cancer cells over normal cells at specific dose ranges. Animal model studies in mice have shown tumor growth inhibition, but pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and safe dosing ranges in humans remain undefined. The evidence base is too preliminary to support any therapeutic claims, and the compound is not approved as a medical treatment by the FDA or EMA.

## Nutritional Profile

Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) is a pure bioactive signaling compound (cyclopentanone derivative), not a nutritional ingredient, so conventional macronutrient/micronutrient profiling does not apply. Molecular formula: C13H20O3, molecular weight: 224.30 g/mol. It is a methyl ester of jasmonic acid, belonging to the jasmonate class of oxylipins. As a pure compound, it contains no protein, fiber, vitamins, or dietary minerals. Caloric contribution is negligible at physiological exposure concentrations. Primary bioactive identity: cyclopentane ring with a pentenyl side chain and methyl ester group, conferring its biological signaling activity. Naturally occurs in jasmine (Jasminum spp.) essential oils at concentrations of approximately 0.5–3% by composition, and in trace amounts across other plant species as a volatile phytohormone. Bioavailability data from human studies is absent; in vitro and animal studies suggest lipophilic character (estimated logP ~2.5) facilitates membrane permeability. At research concentrations (typically 10–1000 µM in cell studies), it modulates stress-response pathways including JA signaling cascades and apoptotic pathways. No established dietary reference intake or tolerable upper limit exists. Not a source of essential nutrients.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges, forms, or standardization details are available from human studies. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Human safety data for supplemental methyl jasmonate is essentially absent, as no formal phase I or phase II clinical trials have established a safe dose range or adverse event profile in humans. Topical exposure in cosmetic contexts has rarely been associated with skin sensitization, but oral or systemic use lacks a documented safety record. Potential interactions with chemotherapy agents or anticoagulants are theoretically plausible given its pro-apoptotic and [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) mechanisms, but no interaction studies exist. Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should strictly avoid methyl jasmonate supplements due to complete absence of reproductive safety data.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or meta-analyses were identified for methyl jasmonate in the available research. The compound is noted as being under early research for potential cancer treatment in humans, but no specific study designs, sample sizes, outcomes, or PubMed PMIDs are available.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No historical context or uses in traditional medicine systems are documented in the available research sources.

## Synergistic Combinations

No synergistic ingredients identified due to lack of clinical research

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does methyl jasmonate kill cancer cells in humans?

There is no human clinical trial evidence that methyl jasmonate kills cancer cells in people. In vitro studies show cytotoxic activity at concentrations of 1–3 mM against cell lines such as MCF-7 breast cancer and Jurkat leukemia cells, but achieving such concentrations safely in human tissue has not been demonstrated, and these findings have not been translated to clinical trials.

### What is the difference between methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid?

Jasmonic acid is the parent plant hormone involved in stress signaling, while methyl jasmonate is its volatile methyl ester form, produced via methylation by the enzyme jasmonic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (JMT). Methyl jasmonate is more volatile and lipophilic, allowing it to cross cell membranes more readily, which is why it has attracted more interest as a potential bioactive therapeutic agent compared to jasmonic acid itself.

### What dose of methyl jasmonate is used in research?

In vitro research typically uses concentrations between 0.5 mM and 3 mM to induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines, while animal studies have used topical or injected doses in the range of 1–10 mg per kilogram of body weight. No safe or effective oral dose has been established for humans, and extrapolating these research concentrations directly to human supplementation is not scientifically validated.

### Is methyl jasmonate found naturally in food?

Methyl jasmonate occurs naturally as a volatile compound in jasmine flowers, rosemary, and various fruits including strawberries and apples, typically in trace microgram-per-kilogram quantities. These dietary amounts are far below the millimolar concentrations used in laboratory cancer studies, meaning food sources are unlikely to deliver therapeutically relevant doses.

### Are there any methyl jasmonate supplements available and are they safe?

A small number of dietary supplements marketed as methyl jasmonate exist, but none have undergone regulatory approval or rigorous safety testing in humans. Because no phase I trials have defined a maximum tolerated dose or characterized adverse effects, taking these supplements carries unknown risks, including potential off-target mitochondrial disruption in healthy cells. Consumers should consult a physician before use and treat all current marketing claims as unsupported by clinical evidence.

### What does current research show about methyl jasmonate's potential mechanisms of action in disease prevention?

Methyl jasmonate is being studied for its potential to trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) and modulate immune responses in laboratory and animal models, though all evidence to date comes from in vitro and preclinical studies. The compound appears to activate stress-response pathways in plant cells that researchers believe may have relevant applications in human health, but no clinical trials have been conducted to confirm these mechanisms work in humans. Most investigations focus on its signaling properties rather than direct therapeutic application.

### Who should avoid methyl jasmonate, and are there specific populations at higher risk for adverse effects?

Due to the complete absence of human safety data, methyl jasmonate should be avoided by pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and individuals with compromised immune systems until clinical evidence becomes available. People taking immunosuppressant medications or those with autoimmune conditions should consult a healthcare provider before considering methyl jasmonate, as its immune-modulating properties have not been studied in these populations. No safety profiles for specific age groups or health conditions have been established in humans.

### How does the quality and strength of evidence for methyl jasmonate compare to other natural compounds marketed for similar health claims?

Methyl jasmonate has significantly weaker evidence than many established botanical supplements—it currently exists only at the preclinical research stage with no peer-reviewed human trials, whereas compounds like curcumin or resveratrol have at least preliminary clinical studies demonstrating safety and some bioactivity in humans. The research on methyl jasmonate remains largely confined to cell cultures and animal models, making direct efficacy comparisons impossible. This ingredient represents early-stage research rather than a validated therapeutic option, distinguishing it from more extensively studied natural compounds.

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