Diosgenin down-regulates NF-κB p65/p50 and p38MAPK pathways and attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice

► Diosgenin inhibited LPS-induced activations of lung NF-κB p50/p65 and MAPK/p38 at oral doses of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg. ► Diosgenin markedly suppressed LPS-induced lung W/D ratio and histopathological changes at three doses. ► Diosgenin remarkably reduced lung and plasma nitrate/nitrite content in LPS-induced ALI mice. ► Diosgenin significantly suppress LPS-induced decreased body temperature at three doses. ► Diosgenin inhibited LPS-induced activations of NF-κB p50/p65 and MAPK/p38 and iNOS expression at 1 μM in THP-1 cells.