Caffeine suppresses lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells by suppressing Akt-mediated NF-κB activation and ERK phosphorylation

► CA attenuates LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators such as NO, PGE2 and TNF-α. ► CA suppresses LPS-induced NF-κB activity by blocking nuclear translocation of NF-κB. ► CA regulates LPS-induced NF-κB activity by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. ► The ERK pathway is related to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators by CA.