Mitochondrial dysfunction is a characteristic feature of intestinal epithelium cells (IEC) in IBD patients, associated with oxidative stress and impaired ATP production. We posit that disrupted mitochondrial bioenergetics impairs ulcer healing in IBD. In the current study, we tested a novel gold-based compound (AuPhos) that improves mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant enzymes in IEC and human colonic biopsies.