Fig. 9.

Schematic mechanisms of eCS in suppressing inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of eCS could be achieved by suppressing a pro-inflammatory factor, NF-κB, and/or activating an anti-inflammatory factor, Nrf2. In our experimental setting, eCS activated Nrf2, while seemingly not suppressing NF-κB. Alternative pathways are likely and need to be explored. Regardless of mechanisms in detail, eCS effectively suppressed acute and severe lung inflammations in mice