【Objective】 To investigate the effect of astaxanthin (AST) on IPEC-J2 cell inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.【Method】 MTT assay was performed to determine the optimal time and concentrations of astaxanthin and LPS for treating IPEC-J2 cells and transfected IPEC-J2 cells. Fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine the relative mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors including NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in IPEC-J2 cells and transfected IPEC-J2 cells stimulated by LPS. ELISA assays were carried out to determine the secretion amounts of these inflammatory factors.【Result】 The vitality of IPEC-J2 cells and transfected IPEC-J2 cells reached the peak when treated with 150 μmol·L^–1 astaxanthin for 3 h or 100 ng·mL^–1 lipopolysaccharide for 6 h. Compared with control group, the relative mRNA expressions and secretions of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in IPEC-J2 cells significantly increased in LPS treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with LPS treatment group, the relative mRNA expressions and secretions of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in LPS+AST group were significantly lower in IPEC-J2 cells (P<0.05), but did not differ significantly in transfected IPEC-J2 cells (P>0.05).【Conclusion】 Astaxanthin can inhibit cell inflammation, and its protective effect on cells is related to TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.