Five fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, methanol and water) of Icacina trichantha tuber were obtained by gradient solvent extraction and tested for their ability to inhibit the Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. The most active fraction was the chloroform one which significantly inhibited ear edema in a dose-dependent manner, showing an ID50 (dose giving 50% edema inhibition) of 107 micrograms/cm2. The ID50 of the reference drug indomethacin was 93 micrograms/cm2. The chloroform fraction significantly reduced also the carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats, after oral adiminstration: 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg of the fraction reduced the global edematous response by 15, 20 or 34%, whereas 10 mg/kg of indomethacin induced 40% inhibition.