Carnosic acid inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation by targeting both priming and assembly steps

•CA specifically inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in murine and human macrophages.•CA blocks the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by suppressing ROS production and interrupting the NLRP3-NEK7 interaction as well as subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome assembly.•CA ameliorates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute systemic inflammation and MSU-induced peritonitis in vivo.•In summary, CA acts as an NLRP3 potent inhibitor and exerts the potential application in NLRP3-driven diseases.