Forsythiaside a plays an anti-inflammatory role in LPS-induced mastitis in a mouse model by modulating the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways

Forsythiaside A, a major bioactive component extracted from Forsythiae fructus, possesses multiple biological properties, especially anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of forsythiaside A was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute mastitis in mice. Our results showed that the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, p38 MAPK, IκBα, and NF-κB p65 in the LPS group were all up-regulated, and obvious pathological changes were observed by sectioning. Compared with those in the LPS group, the expression levels of the above factors were significantly reduced, and the inflammation symptoms were also significantly reduced by section observation after forsythiaside A intervention. These results indicated that forsythiaside A effectively inhibited LPS-induced mammary inflammation in mice by attenuating the activation of the NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.