MMP9 and ulcerative colitis: Oral administration with β-carotenoid ameliorated ulcerative colitis-associated local and systemic damage in mice by acting on multiple targets such as NF-κB, COX-2, STAT3 IL-17, nuclear erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and connective tissue growth factor [135].