Genipin up-regulates heme oxygenase-1 via PI3-kinase-JNK1/2-Nrf2 signaling pathway to enhance the anti-inflammatory capacity in RAW264.7 macrophages

► Genipin induces ho-1 gene expression via an Nrf2 pathway, a mechanism in which oxidative stress is not involved. ► JNK1/2 mediates phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in response to genipin. ► JNK1/2 is a downstream effector of PI3-kinase in genipin signaling leading to HO-1 induction. ► HO-1 mediates the genipin-mediated suppression of LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 in murine macrophages.