Peptides have garnered interest in the management of colitis, particularly in the form of therapeutic peptides designed to modulate immune responses or promote mucosal healing. Several preclinical and early clinical studies suggest that certain bioactive peptides possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, or epithelial repair properties that may benefit patients with colitis, notably in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

For example, growth factor peptides (such as GLP-2, epidermal growth factor, and trefoil factors) have shown promise in animal models by enhancing mucosal repair and reducing inflammation. Some small human studies and pilot trials have demonstrated improved symptoms and mucosal healing with such agents, though larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials are still limited. Additionally, certain antimicrobial peptides and synthetic analogs (like α-defensins or cortistatin peptides) have been explored for their ability to regulate the gut microbiome and attenuate intestinal inflammation.

Despite this promise, the evidence remains preliminary, with most data derived from animal studies or early-phase clinical trials. There is ongoing research and some investigational peptide therapies in clinical development, but no peptide-based therapy is yet widely approved specifically for colitis. The evidence base supports further exploration, but routine clinical use awaits more robust validation.