Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cordyceps Cs-HK1 Fungus Exopolysaccharide on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Macrophages via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway

Chronic inflammation is a common factor in the pathological processes of multiple human diseases. EPS-LM, an exopolysaccharide (EPS) from the Cordyceps sinensis fungus Cs-HK1, has shown notable anti-inflammatory activities in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the major signaling events mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of EPS-LM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell culture. EPS-LM treatment significantly reduced LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also suppressed the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), subsequently delaying the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to the nucleus. Additionally, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments demonstrated that EPS-LM inhibited the binding of TLR4 to MyD88. The ability of EPS-LM to inhibit the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, coupled with its capacity to reduce oxidative stress, underscores its multifaceted anti-inflammatory effects. These effects render EPS-LM as a promising candidate for the comprehensive management of various inflammatory and oxidative stress-related conditions, protecting against cell damage.