OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of mongolian medicine Cymbaria dahurica extract. METHODS: 96 KM mice (or SD rats) were randomly divided into model group (water), positive control group (aspirin, 0.5 g/kg), C. dahurica ethanol extract (70% ethanol) low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (0.325, 0.650, 1.300 g/kg, calculated by crude drug) and C. dahurica aqueous extract of the residue of alcohol extraction low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (0.325, 0.650, 1.300 g/kg, calculated by crude drug). They were given relevant medicine intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 7 d. The xylene-induced ear edema method was used to determine the degree of ear edema, and egg white-induced paw edema method was used to determine paw edema after inducing inflammation 1, 2, 4, 6 h; anti-inflammatory activity of C. dahurica extract was investigated. 96 KM mice were grouped and given medicine with same method; the number of writhing within 20 min was determined by acetic acid writhing method. Another 64 KM mice were grouped with same method, with 8 mice in each group; except positive control group was given tramadol hydrochloride (0.5 g/kg) intragastrically, other groups were given relevant medicine with same method. Pain thresholds of mice were determined by hot-plate test before and after medication 30, 45, 60, 90 min, and analgesic effects of C. dahurica extract were investigated. RESULTS: Compared with model group, C. dahurica extract could obviously restrain the ear edema of mice and paw edema of rats 6 h after egg white-induced inflammation. Except paw edema of rats in C. dahurica aqueous extract of the residue of alcohol extraction high-dose group was decreased slightly, there was statistical significance among other groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). C. dahurica extract decreased the number of writhing in mice within 20 min, and extended pain thresholds of mice 30, 60, 90 min after medication (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both C. dahurica ethanol extract and aqueous extract of the residue of alcohol extraction posses certain anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.