TNF and colitis: It is noteworthy to state that IL-18 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine which might induce colitis through the activation of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and chemokines [38]. Stimulation of p-NF-κB p65 initially activates NLRP3 inflammasome and Caspase-1 and stimulates IL-1β and IL-18, which in turn triggers the production of other inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α [39].