Figure 7.

COS inhibits NLRP3 activation in vivo and alleviates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. (A–F) 10-week-old male WT or Nlrp3^KO mice were treated with 2.5% DSS dissolved in drinking water for six days and then provided normal drinking water for four days. COS (40 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered daily. (A) Bodyweight loss, (B) disease activity index (DAI), and (C) colon lengths were measured. (D) Tissue homogenates from colon IL-1β levels were assessed using ELISA. (E) Western blot analysis of p20 and pro-caspase-1, and β-actin of tissue homogenates from the colon of WT or Nlrp3^KO mice. (F) Sections of paraffin-embedded colon tissues were stained with H&E. Original magnification 100×. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM, n = 6 per group; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ns, not significant.