Hexane fraction from Laminaria japonica exerts anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages via inhibiting NF-kappaB pathway.

Purpose Laminaria japonica is a representative marine brown alga used as a culinary item in East Asia. L. japonica extract was shown to exert various biological activities; however, its anti-inflammatory activity has not been reported. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory action.