NOS2 and colitis: The second experiment was conducted to determine the effects of these concentrations of crocin on DSS-induced colitis and the mRNA expression of NF-κB, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, iNOS, and Nrf2 in mice, since the elevated mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible inflammatory enzymes caused by inflammatory stimuli plays a significant role in carcinogenesis [38].