【Objective】 To investigate the effects of lycopene on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory cytokines production in RAW264.7 cells and its possible molecular mechanism. 【Methods】 RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with 1

5

and 10 μmol/L lycopene for 1 h and then treated with 1 μg/mL LPS for different time. The LPS-induced NO and IL-6 release in macrophages were assayed by the methods of Griess and ELISA

respectively. Western blotting was used to analyze nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) P65

phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated I-κBα

mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) protein expression.【Results】 Lycopene inhibited LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Further study showed that lycopene also inhibited LPS-induced I-κBα phosphorylation

I-κBα degradation

and NF-κB translocation. Moreover

lycopene blocked the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase but not c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase. 【Conclusion】 Lycopene inhibits the inflammatory response of RAW 264.7 cells to LPS through inhibiting ERK/p38MAP kinase and the NF-κB pathway

.which is one of the mechanisms responsible for preventing inflammation-related diseases by lycopene.