AhR	aryl hydrocarbon receptor
CON	normal control group
DAI	Disease Activity Index
DSS	dextran sulfate sodium salt
ELISA	employed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
H&E	Hematoxylin and Eosin
HI	histological inflammation
HIN	high-dose group of NIN
HPLC	High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
IBD	inflammatory bowel disease
IN	Indigo naturalis
LIN	low-dose group of NIN
MOD	model group
NIN	Indigo Naturalis prepared using a novel method
POS	positive control group
SIN	control group of the commercially available standard IN
TCM	Traditional Chinese Medicine
UC	ulcerative colitis