IL6 and colitis: After only 4 weeks, Kawabata et al. found that crocin feeding could prevent Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and decrease TNF-α expression, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, NF-kB, COX-2, and iNOS in the colorectal mucosa and increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) expression (240).