Aim To investigate the effects of curcumin on the inflammatory cytokines in macrophages induced by LPS combined with IFN-γ and its molecular mechanism. Methods THP-1 cells were differentiated to macrophages before induced by LPS combined with IFN-γ, then treated by different doses of curcumin (0 μmol/L, 7.5 μmol/L, 15 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L), separately. The expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12B of each group were detected by real-time PCR and ELISA assay. Results Compared with the control group, the cytokine protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12B were suppressed by curcumin in macrophages induced by LPS combined with IFN-γ (P<0.01).Furthermore, curcumin significantly inhibited the expression of TLR4 and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38 and NF-κB.Conclusions Curcumin can remarkably suppress synthesis of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12B in macrophages induced by LPS combined with IFN-γ through TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB pathway.