Researchers have developed a new oral formulation of budenoside that has extended release into the colon. In a randomized study of 410 patients with active mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, extended-release budenoside (9 mg once daily) was more effective than placebo in inducing combined clinical and endoscopic remission (17.4% versus 4.5%; P = 0.0047) over 8 weeks. The number of adverse events were similar in the two groups.