top of page
The Sound of Evolution
Sulfasalazine
Mechanism of action:
Sulfasalazine is an aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory agent. Sulfasalazine is a prodrug that must be cleaved by azoreductase produced by intestinal bacteria into 5-ASA (5-aminosalicylic acid) and sulfapyridine. 5-ASA is the main active component. It inhibits cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, reduces the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, suppresses NF-kB activation, and decreases the release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a and IL-1.
Reference(s):
1. Hoult JR et al. (1986). Pharmacological and biochemical actions of sulphasalazine. Drugs.
2. Weber CK et al. (2000). Suppression of NF-kappaB activity by sulfasalazine is mediated by direct inhibition of IkappaB kinases alpha and beta. Gastroenterology.
bottom of page