NCIt definition : A prodrug of mesalamine (5-Aminosalicylic acid; 5-ASA) with anti-inflammatory activity.
Unabsorbed olsalazine passes through gastrointestinal tract and is cleaved by azoreductases,
produced by microflora in colon, into 2 active molecules of 5-ASA. 5-ASA exerts its
anti-inflammatory action locally by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities,
thereby reducing the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In addition, mesalamine
may act as a scavenger of reactive oxygen free radicals.;