Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Experimental Colitis: Redox Regulation, Ferroptosis, Epithelial Barrier Function, and Gut Microbiota

Preclinical studies suggest that α-lipoic acid (ALA) can reduce oxidative and inflammatory injury, support epithelial barrier function, and alter gut microbiota in experimental colitis, although evidence for ferroptosis as a required mediator remains limited. This narrative review distinguishes free ALA from andrographolide–lipoic acid conjugates and lipoic acid-containing materials, evaluates the limits of mechanistic inference, and emphasizes that clinical efficacy in ulcerative colitis has not been established by publicly available trial results.