A prodrug form of 5-aminosalicylic acid; inhibits TNF-α and LPS-induced NF-κB activation in SW620 colon cancer cells at 0.1-5 mM; inhibits cystine uptake through the system xc- cysteine-glutamate transporter at 0.25 mM and inhibits the growth of U-87MG glioma cells in an NF-κB independent manner at 0.25-1 mM; decreases diarrhea, increases food intake, and reverses body weight decreases in a mouse model of colitis at 100 mg/kg; suppresses antigen-induced arthritis in mice