Rebalancing the inflammatory trajectory from inflammatory bowel disease to colitis-associated colorectal cancer via artemisinin-based multitarget therapy
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and that is a major risk factor for colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), a distinct and aggressive malignancy driven by chronic intestinal inflammation. Artemisinins, a group of sesquiterpene lactones derived from Artemisia annua, have emerged as promising therapeutic candidates for IBD due to their potent anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this review, we summarize the current evidence that artemisinins exert diverse pharmacological actions including modulation of immune responses, reduction of oxidative stress, preservation of epithelial barrier function, and suppression of oncogenic signaling relevant to IBD and CAC. We also introduce the recent progress in formulation strategies designed to enhance the bioavailability, tissue specificity, and therapeutic efficacy of artemisinin-based agents. By bridging traditional medical philosophy with modern pharmacological insights, artemisinins represent a versatile platform for preventing and treating inflammation-driven colorectal cancer. This review offers a comprehensive overview of their translational potential in addressing the IBD-CAC continuum.
Keywords:
inflammatory bowel disease; colorectal cancer; artemisinins; anti-inflammatory therapeutics; immune modulation; carcinogenesis