Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a) is a cytokine and a primary
mediator of inflammation. Various anti-inflammatory drugs,
particularly biologics such as etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab,
work on the principle of inhibiting TNF-a. Though these TNF-a
inhibitors are highly specific, their long term use is associated with
serious side effects including tuberculosis and cancer [1]. However,
TNF-a still remains an attractive target for developing new antiinflammatory
drugs that could be administered orally, would
have fewer side effects and would lead to cost effective therapy