Shrimp anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (SALF), an antimicrobial peptide, inhibits proinflammatory cytokine expressions through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways in LPS-induced HeLa cells

► SALF inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-1α and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 according to an ELISA assay. ► SALF might regulate vaginal epithelial cell immune responses through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways by LPS treatment. ► SALF is thus a potential drug candidate for treating chronic inflammatory diseases, such as urethritis, vaginitis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory diseases.