Objectives : Catalpa ovata G. Don (Bignoniaceae) has been shown to possess a variety of pharmacological activities. However, the effect of Catalpa ovata G. Don on endothelial adhesion molecule expression has not been reported. Methods : To examine the effect of Catalpa ovata G. Don on the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-${alpha}$ (TNF-${alpha}$), we used various methods such as Western blot analysis, reverse tranascription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and luciferase activity assay. Results : 1. The extract of Catalpa ovata G. Don inhibited the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in HUVECs stimulated with TNF-${alpha}$. 2. The extract of Catalpa ovata G. Don reduced TNF-${alpha}$-induced adhesion of leukocytes to HUVECs. 3. In addition, The extract of Catalpa ovata G. Don inhibited the promoter activities of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Conclusions : These results that Catalpa ovata G. Don may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory such as atherosclerosis.