Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 via PI3K/Akt and Nrf-2 signaling pathways mediates the anti-inflammatory activity of Schisandrin in Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-stimulated macrophages

► In this study, we showed the anti-inflammatory potential of Schisandrin by using P. gingivalis LPS-stimulated RAW 26.7 cells. ► Our results also show that Schisandrin effectively inhibited the P. gingivalis LPS-induced proinflammatory response by upregulating HO-1 expression mediated by PI3K/Akt, ERK, and Nrf-2 signals. ► Schisandrin might be considered as a candidate for further development in the treatment of periodontitis and chronic inflammatory diseases.