Inflammatory bowel diseases are represented by two idiopathic disorders,
which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis
is restricted to the colon and involves uncertain and inflammation of the
lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. Crohn's disease, on the other
hand, can involve the mucosa of the small and/or large intestine and may
involve deeper layers of the bowel wall. The present invention contains
N-acetylcysteine disposed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for
oral or rectal delivery for treating such inflammatory bowel diseases by
topical application within the colon.