Objective To study the effects of scutellarin on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in BV2 cells, so as to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of scutellarin. Methods The experiment was divided into 5 groups, namely, a normal control group, a model control group (stimulated by LPS), and three Scutellarin treatment groups (0.1, 1, and 100 μg/ml). NF-κB activity was examined by Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay. BV2 cells were treated with LPS ; expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA and protein were examined by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Results Scutellarin treatment greatly inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation in pNF-κB 293 cells. The treatment also noticeably inhibited LPS-induced expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in BV-2 cells. Conclusion Scutellarin has anti-inflammatory effect, which maybe related to the inhibition of NF-κB-mediated pathway and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.