Small-Molecule Drugs for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This article addresses recent small-molecule approaches, which resulted in drugs that have entered clinical trials for Crohn’s disease and/or ulcerative colitis. We also discuss certain novel small-molecule approaches in well-characterized animal models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Finally, we summarize some natural product-derived small molecules, which could have future utility for the treatment of IBD. Small-molecule drugs currently in clinical trials for IBD include S1P receptor modulators. Drugs that have shown efficacy in various animal models of IBD include ROR-γT inhibitors. Natural product-derived small molecules with potential utility for IBD include curcumin and silibinin.