Sulfasalazine

Sulfasalazine is a prodrug form of the anti-inflammatory agent 5-aminosalicylic acid (Item No. 70265) that is covalently linked to the antibiotic sulfapyridine by an azo bond.{22572} This bond is rapidly cleaved by bacteria in the terminal ileum and colon, releasing the active anti-inflammatory component. Sulfasalazine (0.1-5 mM) inhibits TNF-? and LPS-induced NF-?B activation in SW620 colon cancer cells.{9108} It also inhibits degradation of I?B? and prevents nuclear translocation of NF-?B induced by TNF-?. Sulfasalazine (0.25 mM) inhibits cystine uptake through the system xc- cysteine-glutamate transporter and inhibits the growth of U-87MG glioma cells in an NF-?B independent manner when used at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1 mM.{48002} Sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) decreases diarrhea, increases food intake, and reverses body weight decreases in a mouse model of colitis.{22572} It is also suppresses antigen-induced arthritis in mice.{48003} Formulations containing sulfasalazine have been used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.