Chlorogenic acid (CGA), which is a natural compound found in various plants, has been reported to exert notable anti‑inflammatory activities. The present study investigated the effects and underlying mechanism of CGA on interleukin (IL)‑1β‑induced osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. An in vitro OA‑like chondrocyte model was established using IL‑1β‑stimulated human SW‑1353 chondrocytes. Cell viability was assessed using an MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) and IL‑6 production were evaluated by Griess reaction and ELISA, respectively. The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‑2), collagen II, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑13, p65 nuclear factor (NF)‑κB and inhibitor‑κBα were detected by western blot analysis. The results indicated that CGA reversed IL‑1β‑induced increases in iNOS/NO, IL‑6, MMP‑13 and COX‑2/PGE2 production, and reversed the IL‑1β‑mediated downregulation of collagen II. In addition, the data suggested that CGA was capable of inhibiting the IL‑1β‑induced inflammatory response, at least partially via the NF‑κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, CGA may be considered a suitable candidate agent in the treatment of OA.