(±) -Methyl Jasmonate

(±) -Jasmonic acid methyl ester induces the synthesis of proteinase inhibitors in plant leaves. In cancer cells it suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis. More specifically methyl jasmonate inhibits hexokinase that is bound to mitochondria. As hexokinase is overexpressed in cancer cells and contributes to cancer cell growth and survival methyl jasmonate’s disruption of mitochondrial hexokinase activity selectively targets and kills cancer cells. (±) -Jasmonic acid methyl ester derivatives also have potential as anti-inflammatory agents. Methyl jasmonate has been primarily detected in urine.