Abstract:The objective of the current study is to examine the anti-inflammatory impact and mechanism of Isaria cidada C1 mycelial polysaccharide (ISP-80) in the inflammation model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse monocyte-macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The polysaccharide (ISP-80) was obtained through hot water extraction from the Isaria cidada C1 mycelium. The toxic effects of ISP-80 on RAW264.7 cells were evaluated using CCK-8, and the impact of ISP-80 on the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 cytokines was measured using an ELISA kit. Furthermore, the mechanism of ISP-80 was determined using western blotting to detect the relevant protein content in the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. The findings indicated that ISP-80 was composed of three polysaccharide fractions, each containing Glc, Man, and Gal monosaccharides in a molar ratio of 6:27:8. The data demonstrated that ISP-80 polysaccharide displays no cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells and promotes cell growth within the concentration range of 0.01~1.0 mg/mL (P<0.0001) when compared to the control group. Compared to the model group (LPS), the inclusion of 0.1-0.5 mg/mL of ISP-80 significantly reduced the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β (P<0.001) and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells (P<0.05), while inhibiting cell differentiation and restoring cell morphology. The anti-inflammatory action of ISP-80 operated via the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. ISP-80 blocked the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK, inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Simultaneously, it inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α and blocked the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, suppressing the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, ISP-80 has the potential to act as a natural and safe anti-inflammatory agent for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.