Anti-inflammatory effects of murine fetal liver (FL) cells were studied using BALB/c mouse contact hypersensitivity (paw edema) model. Paw weight differences, lymphatic organ weights, hematological and histological indices as well as proinflammatory (TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine levels in sera were evaluated. Immunophenotyping revealed that both murine FL homogenate cells (HC) and FL hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) express CD117 and CD38 surface markers. Single doses of 1x10(6) cells/mouse and 2x10(6) cells/mouse of FL HC as well as of FL HSC, when used separately, all statistically significantly (p<0.05) inhibited paw edema, but the lower dose was more effective and giving results similar to that of prednisolone. Either dose of FL HC or FL HSC studied had no significant influence on lymphatic organ weights; no significant changes were also observed in blood indices. The data of cytokine studies showed that TNF-alpha concentration in sera of mice treated with either FL HC or FL HSC at a dose of 1x10(6) cells/mouse was statistically significantly (p<0.001) lower than that of the control mice. A concentration of IL-10 was statistically significantly higher (p<0.01) in mice treated with a dose of 1x10(6) cells/mouse of FL HC but not with the same dose of FL HSC as compared to the control group. Histological examination revealed better effects of a dose of 1x10(6) cells/mouse of FL HC when compared with the same dose of FL HSC as in regard to reduction of edema thickness and cell infiltration.