1. Introduction
Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan Yew) is a small to medium sized evergreen tree, growing 10–20 m tall, exceptionally up to 28 m. Its leaves are flat, dark green, arranged spirally on the stem. It is one of the oldest native plants known in the northern area of Pakistan. Literature survey revealed that this plant is used traditionally for treatment of high fever and painful and inflammatory conditions [1]. Leaves of the plant are used to make herbal tea for indigestion and epilepsy [2]. Some of these folk medicinal uses of T. wallichiana Zucc. have been validated through pharmacological studies According to previously published literature of T. wallichiana Zucc., immunomodulatory activities [3], antibacterial and antifungal activities [4], analgesic, antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities [5], have been reported so far. In the current study we have made an effort to explore anti-inflammatory activities of isolated abietane diterpenes from T. wallichiana Zucc. based on its traditional usage in pathological conditions associated with inflammation.