Compositions for use in treating and/or alleviating a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and/or enterocolitis in a subject in need thereof are disclosed. The composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an anthraquinone derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. In one embodiment, the composition comprises diacerein. Also disclosed is a first composition comprising an anthraquinone derivative selected from the group consisting of diacerein, aloe-emodin, emodin, and rhein, and a first pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle; and a second composition comprising mesalazine, and a second pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, in combination for use in treating and/or alleviating a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and/or enterocolitis.