Natural Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta Inhibitors: Safe Therapeutic Options for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and debilitating condition classified as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IBD usually happens as result of immune dysfunction in the intestinal mucosa resulting in epithelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to exposure of the mucosal immune system to luminal antigenic material. This results in activation of inflammation, which is our bodies natural defense system; however, chronic inflammation leads to barrier dysfunction, which triggers a cycle of inflammation and further barrier dysfunction. This barrier breakdown results in the uncontrolled progression of IBD throughout the intestine. Despite the therapeutic advances made over the last decade, the current first line of treatment of IBD is limited to immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs, which need to be taken regularly and have significant side effects to the patients. Prolonged inflammation may increase the risk of intestinal malignancy. The role of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) has been established in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammation. NF-κβ has also shown to be involved in critical events linking inflammation and cancer development. Recent investigations suggest that the NF-κβ signaling cascade may be the central mediator of gastrointestinal inflammation in IBD and malignancies including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. In this review, the therapeutic potential of natural NF-κβ inhibitors as safe therapeutic options for the treatment of IBD will be discussed.