The invention is directed to a method of inhibiting, within a living cell, the interaction between NF-κB essential modulator (“NEMO”) with IκB kinase-β (IKK-β) at the NEMO binding domain (NBD), comprising exposing the cell to an effective amount or concentration of a compound of the invention, a NEMO-binding domain analog (NBDA). The invention is further directed to a method of treating a condition in a patient, wherein inhibiting the interaction between NF-κB essential modulator (“NEMO”) with IκB kinase-β (IKK-β) at the NEMO binding domain (NBD) is medically indicated, comprising administering to the patient an effective dose of a compound of the invention. Conditions that can be treated by a method of the invention includes muscular dystrophy, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, arthritis, diabetes, graft versus host disease, accelerated aging, heart ischemia, cancer, UV-induced skin damage, or an age-related pathology.