Pharmacological and Pharmacokinetic Insights Into Columbianadin: A Promising Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound.

Columbianadin (CBN), a dihydroangelic acid ester and a naturally occurring coumarin compound, is primarily derived from plants in the Apiaceae family, notably the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Angelica pubescens. Modern pharmacological research has revealed that CBN exhibits a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including neuroprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, and analgesic effects. As a key bioactive constituent of Angelica pubescens, CBN demonstrates superior therapeutic potential compared to its source plant, attributed to its distinctive chemical structure and multitarget regulatory mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes the pharmacological properties and underlying molecular mechanisms of CBN, with a special emphasis on its emerging role in modulating inflammation and treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and related disorders. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of CBN are discussed to support its potential development as a novel drug candidate. This work aims to provide a theoretical foundation for the rational design of natural product-based therapeutics and to promote the translational research and clinical application of CBN.