Background of study: Traditional medicine practitioners use leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis for symptomatic relief of arthritis. Previous studies indicate the anti-inflammatory effect of flowers and seeds of the extract. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis linn in rodents. Research Methodology: The leaf extract was prepared by __ampersandsignldquo;maceration__ampersandsignrdquo; with 90% ethanol at room temperature, filtered and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The extract was suspended in Tween 80 and used per orally in rodents. Acute anti-inflammatory activity of the extract at doses 200, 400 mg/kg was evaluated in rats using carrageenan induced paw edema. Chronic anti-inflammatory activity was tested using cotton pellet granuloma. Results: The leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis produced significant acute and chronic antiinflammatory activity at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses. When compared to the standard drugDiclofenac sodium 10mg/kgthe acute effect of the extract was comparable but the chronic effect was significantly less at 400mg/kg dose. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential acute and chronic anti-inflammatory effectof Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves which supports the claim of traditional medicine practitioners.