osthole

Osthole is a natural coumarin derivative primarily found in medicinal plants such as Cnidium monnieri and Angelica pubescens. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, osteogenic (bone-forming), hepatoprotective (liver-protecting), cardiovascular protective, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial effects[1][2][3][4]. Osthole’s mechanisms of action are diverse and include inhibition of phosphodiesterase PDE4D—leading to increased cAMP levels and airway relaxation—as well as modulation of signaling pathways such as BMP-2/p38 for osteogenesis and Wnt/β-catenin for bone formation[1][6]. It also disrupts bacterial cell membranes and metabolism in pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes[8]. Osthole is under investigation for its potential use in cancer therapy (including overcoming drug resistance), bone loss prevention/treatment (osteoporosis), liver diseases (such as hepatitis B virus infection), cardiovascular conditions, asthma/airway disorders, neurological protection, immune modulation, and antimicrobial applications[1][2][3][4][5][6][8].

Other names

7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)coumarin