Astaxanthin alleviates inflammatory pain by regulating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 pathways in mice

, infiltration of inflammatory cells and production of inflammatory factors) in the ipsilateral paw and DRG. Additionally, AST inhibited p38 MAPK and enhanced Nrf2/HO-1 contents in the left paw and DRG, and reversed the pain induced by p38 MAPK agonist and Nrf2 inhibitors. These findings suggest that AST exerts anti-inflammatory effects and regulates p38 MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 to alleviate inflammatory pain. AST may be a potential therapeutic agent for relieving inflammation.