Astaxanthin induced improvements of various factors in DSS colitis, including: clinical and histological parameters, mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-36α and IL-36γ), activation of transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 (c-Jun), and MAPK phosphorylation. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is colitis.