ObjectiveTo summarize the anti-inflammatory effects of irisin in inflammatory diseases.MethodThe relevant literatures at home and abroad in recent years were systematically searched and read to review the anti-inflammatory effects of irisin in the inflammatory diseases.ResultsThe irisin was widely distributed in the body and played a physiological role in inducing the browning of white adipocytes, improving energy metabolism and glucose utilization. A grow body of evidences demonstrated that the irisin exerted the anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factor-α, antagonizing apoptosis and activation of nuclear factor-κB, and improving tissue damage in many inflammatory diseases, such as acute lung injury, inflammatory bowel disease, septic cardiomyopathy, acute pancreatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and malignant tumors.ConclusionsIrisin plays an important anti-inflammatory role in pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Irisin is considered as a promising candidate biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of inflammatory diseases, and a novel target for treatment of inflammatory diseases.