Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate is the signature cinnamate ester of Kaempferia galanga and one of the clearest chemotype markers in the AromaForge archive's false-ginger galangal record. Compared with many aroma constituents, it has a substantial preclinical literature covering inflammatory signaling, cyclooxygenase inhibition, angiogenesis-related assays, melanogenesis signaling, and antimicrobial screening, mostly from cell and animal models. That makes it a stronger research-profile constituent than a typical trace ester, but the evidence still remains preclinical and should not be translated into medical claims.
Chemical identity and composition
PubChem lists Ethyl methoxycinnamate as CID 5281783 with formula C12H14O3 and IUPAC name ethyl (E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate. NIST lists CAS 24393-56-4 for Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate and notes the trans isomer as the same-structure species. In the archive's Kaempferia galanga record, trans Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate is reported at 32.01%, and newer literature also describes it as a dominant constituent in this oil type.
Aroma and practical use
- Use the recorded sweet, spicy, balsamic, warm, cinnamic descriptors to explore a blend's scent character; perceived strength also depends on the other ingredients.
- Review the flagged use concerns across every contributing oil and the selected dilution.
- Read the route, preparation and experimental context before using a study finding to choose an oil.
Reported benefits and effects
Findings retain their study context. An animal or laboratory result describes that experiment.
anti inflammatory and antiangiogenic models
A 2014 study reported that Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate strongly inhibited granuloma formation, significantly reduced interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in vivo and in vitro, and inhibited microvessel sprouting plus endothelial differentiation and migration.
Measured: cytokines, endothelial migration, tube formation, and VEGF-related angiogenesis
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
antiangiogenic zebrafish and matrigel models
A 2012 study found dose-dependent inhibition of vessel formation by trans-Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate in zebrafish embryos and inhibition of HUVEC migration and tube formation, with in vivo blockage of bFGF-induced vessel formation in Matrigel plugs.
Measured: vessel formation, migration, and tube formation
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
cyclooxygenase linked anti inflammatory activity
A bioactivity-guided isolation study identified Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate as the major active constituent from Kaempferia galanga and reported dose-dependent edema inhibition together with in vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition at 1.12 micromolar and 0.83 micromolar, respectively.
Measured: edema inhibition and COX-1/COX-2 inhibition
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
melanogenesis modulation
A 2013 study reported reduced melanin synthesis, reduced cellular tyrosinase activity, and decreased MITF and tyrosinase expression, while not finding direct inhibition of cell-free tyrosinase.
Measured: melanin synthesis and tyrosinase-pathway expression
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
antimycobacterial screening
A 2011 in vitro study reported that Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate inhibited H37Ra, H37Rv, drug-susceptible, and multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates at 0.242 to 0.485 mM, with no cross-resistance to standard anti-TB drugs in the MDR strains.
Measured: MIC range and selectivity profile
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
Use concerns and concentration limits
Sensitization concernFlagged
Flagged in the constituent reference; assess the source, route and finished-product concentration.
Phototoxicity concernNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
Oxidation concernNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
Penetration enhancementNot flagged
Not flagged in the current model. This is not proof of absence or unrestricted safety.
A recorded constituent reference, not a recommended oil dilution. Product category, source applicability and all contributing oils must be checked before use.
unverified reference · No source provenance attachedThis profile's activity literature is overwhelmingly preclinical, so any consumer-facing summary should avoid implying established human therapeutic efficacy.
This reference does not establish a therapeutic result or a safe use level for a custom oil blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
No constituent-specific IFRA dermal limit or phototoxicity paper was verified in the reviewed public sources for isolated Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate.
This reference does not establish a therapeutic result or a safe use level for a custom oil blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
Because this is a cinnamate ester used in fragrance and cosmetic contexts, conservative topical framing is more defensible than assuming unrestricted use.
This reference does not establish a therapeutic result or a safe use level for a custom oil blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
Constituents it may interact with
No constituent-pair interaction is recorded for this identity. The report does not assume either amplification or incompatibility.
How the effects were investigated
cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibition
A bioactivity-guided isolation study reported non-selective inhibition of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 by Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate with low-micromolar IC50 values in vitro.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
suppression of pro inflammatory cytokines and endothelial functions
Cell and animal work reported reduced interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha signaling together with inhibition of endothelial differentiation, migration, tube formation, and VEGF-related angiogenic responses.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
downregulation of melanogenesis signaling
A melanogenesis study found reduced MITF and tyrosinase expression in stimulated murine melanoma cells, suggesting signaling-level suppression rather than direct cell-free tyrosinase inhibition.
This experimental finding does not establish benefit, dose or safety in people using this blend.
No direct public citation is attached to this entry.
What this report cannot establish
- A reported constituent percentage does not establish an effective human therapeutic dose or the amount absorbed into the body.
- The presence of a constituent does not guarantee a clinical benefit, rash treatment or sleep improvement from a custom blend.
- An unflagged concern or missing use limit does not establish safety for ingestion, inhalation, skin exposure or a particular person.
- A candidate constituent interaction does not establish that two oils amplify one another at the selected proportions.
- Constituent descriptors alone do not establish a precise top, heart or base lifetime in a finished blend.
Known data gaps (5)
- No human clinical efficacy studies specific to isolated Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate were verified in this pass.
- No constituent-specific public dermal limit or phototoxicity dataset was verified in the reviewed sources.
- Most accessible activity papers are Kaempferia galanga derived and preclinical, so constituent-specific translation to consumer use remains limited.
- The numeric dermal reference lacks source provenance; a verified flag alone is insufficient.
- Some findings do not record an explicit exposure route; consult the linked study before applying them to a use.