2.3 Histological analysis

For evaluation of histopathology, untreated and DSS-treated mice were sacrificed on day 7. Proximal, middle, and distal sections of the colon were collected for histology. Colon sections were stained with H&E and evaluated for epithelial damage. Histological scoring was performed on H&E-stained colon tissue sections. Each tissue section was scored on the degree of epithelial damage and inflammation in the mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis and serosa regions. Individual scores were assigned as follows: 0 for no tissue damage and inflammation, 1 for focal damage and inflammation, 2 for patchy tissue damage and inflammation, and 3 for diffuse tissue damage and inflammation. Four scores per mouse (one each for proximal, middle, and distal parts of colon, and one for cecum) were added for the total score of the individual animal. The average scores for each group were calculated.