The NLRP3 inflammasome rapidly responds to many infections and stress signals and is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory disease processes. Tannic acid plays a role in antioxidant, antifungal and antitumor activities. Here, we reported that tannic acid inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by blocking NF-kappa B signaling to suppress IL-1 beta secretion. We found that the BMDMs (bone marrow-derived macrophages cells) pre-treated with tannic acid blocked caspase-1 cleavage and inhibited IL-1 beta secretion in a NLRP3-dependent manner, and suppressed NF-kappa B signaling activation by inhibiting NF-kappa B/P65 nuclear localization, suggesting that tannic acid inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These investigations revealed that tannic acid inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation via blocking NF-kappa B signaling in macrophages, providing us with evidence that tannic acid may be a potent inhibitor for NLRP3-driven diseases. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.