BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 17-O-acetylacuminolide (AA), a diterpenoid labdane, was isolated for the first time from the plant species Neouvaria foetida. The anti-inflammatory effects of this compound were studied both in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Plant extracts were initially tested against LPS-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) from murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). Based on bioassay-guided fractionation, the active compound was identified as AA. AA was tested for its ability to reduce nitric oxide (NO) production, and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. The inhibition of a panel of inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1beta, IL-6, KC, and GM-CSF) by AA was assessed at the expression and the mRNA levels. Moreover, the effect of AA on the translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) was evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in TNF-stimulated L929 cells. Subsequently, AA was tested in the inhibitor of NF-kappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta) activity assay. Lastly, the anti-inflammatory activity of AA in vivo was evaluated by testing TNF production in LPS-stimulated Balb/c mice. KEY RESULTS: AA effectively inhibited TNF-alpha release with an IC(50) of 2.7 microg/mL. Moreover, AA significantly inhibited both NO production and iNOS expression. It significantly and dose-dependently inhibited TNF and IL-1beta proteins and mRNA expression; as well as IL-6 and KC proteins. Additionally, AA prevented the translocation of NF-kappaB in both cell lines; suggesting that it is acting at a post receptor level. This was confirmed by AA's ability to inhibit IKKbeta activity, a kinase responsible for activating NF-kappaB, hence providing an insight on AA's mechanism of action. Finally, AA significantly reduced TNF production in vivo. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study presents the potential utilization of this compound, as a lead for the development of an anti-inflammatory drug.