The root of Astragalus membranaceous (AM) has been used to treat edema and arthritis in the traditional Korean medicine. To elucidate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of ethanol extract of AM, the carrageenan-induced paw edema using a plethysmometer and thermal hypersensitivity using the plantar test were measured. Ibuprofen was used as a control drug. Pretreatment with AM (400 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reduced paw edema, compared to the carrageenan-treated rats. In the plantar test, the thermal withdrawal latency in AM-treated group was significantly increased than the carrageenan-treated group. The results indicate that AM could have be the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties.