The solasodine isolated from Solanum trilobatum has been examined for possible anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic inflammatory animal models. Solasodine (5, 30 and 75 mg kg⁻¹) exerted statistically significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, which was similar to that of indomethacin (10 mg kg⁻¹), a known anti-inflammatory agent. At the dose of 75 mg kg⁻¹, solasodine inhibited the arachidonic acid-elicited rat paw oedema 1 h after arachidonic acid challenge. Topical application of solasodine significantly inhibited the ear inflammation induced by multiple applications of tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate. It also suppressed the volume of exudates, total leucocytes and amount of neutrophil migration into the rat pleural cavity. Administration of solasodine at a dose of 75 mg kg⁻¹ significantly inhibited the adjuvant-induced rat paw oedema. These results suggest that solasodine exerts anti-inflammatory activity, at least partly through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.