TNF and colitis: The pro‐inflammatory cytokines act a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute colitis, and the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines are reported increased in DSS‐induced colitis.26 To determine whether TOE exerts anti‐inflammatory effects in DSS‐induced colitis, we examined the expression levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, IFN‐γ and IL‐1β in colon tissues by RT‐PCR (Figure 2A) and IHC analysis (Figure 2B), which showed that their expression levels were notably elevated by DSS as compared with the control group, but these effects were reversed by TOEH and (or) TOEL.