AbstractA study was undertaken to investigate the antiinflammatory efficacy of methanol extract of aerial parts of Barleria lupulina Lindl. [MEBL] (Family: Acanthaceae) in acute and sub‐acute inflammation models of albino rats. The MEBL in all the tested dose levels exhibited significant inhibition of carrageenin and serotonin induced paw oedema volumes when compared with the untreated (control) group. The MEBL also exerted a significant reduction in granuloma weight in the cotton pellet induced granuloma model. These potentials were comparable to that of the standard drug (indomethacin). The plant extract was also tested for its analgesic, ulcerogenic and antiperoxidative potential. The extract also demonstrated protection against CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation and acetic acid induced writhing. Acute administration of MEBL (300 mg/kg) did not produce any gastric lesion in rats. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.