Due to the presence of compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolic and steroid compounds in Melia azedirach, our previous study showed that aqueous extract of the plant at dose of 200 mg/kg has Anti-inflammatory effects. According to reports on Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of similar species (Azadirach indica), the possible anti-inflammatory effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Melia azedirach wouldn’t be unexpected. So in this study anti-inflammatory effect of Melia azedirach leaves hydro-alcoholic extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg was compared to that of the same dose on aqueous extract. Male rats (200-250gr) were divided into 5 groups: control, sham1 (i.p. aqueous extract solvent), sham2 (i.p.hydro-alcoholic extract solvent), i.p., 200 mg/kg aqueous extract and i.p., 200 mg/kg hydro-alcoholic extract. Edema was induced in the rat’s hind paw by subcutaneous injection of 0.05 ml of 2.5% formalin and paw volume was measured using plethysmometeriy before and one hour after the injection.Comparison of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Melia azedirach showed that the aqueous extract of the plant leaves is more effective than hydro-alcoholic extract in reducing the paw edema (p<0.05).The results indicate that aqueous extract act better than the plant hydro-alcoholic extract regard to paw edema. Maybe, water is more effective to extract the substances with anti-inflammatory effects, from the plant.

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