Further confirmation through immunofluorescence staining revealed that, as seen in Fig. 7, in contrast to the group that served as a model, the fluorescence intensity of ATG12, Beclin-1, and LC3A/B expression increased to varying degrees, indicating that the Xianhecao-Huanglian drug pair enhances autophagy that is inhibited by DSS-induced IBD. This evidence concerns the gene ATG12 and inflammatory bowel disease.