The extract of Platycodi radix has long been used as an anti-inflammatory traditional medicine in Korea for the treatment of bronchitis, asthma and acute respiratory disease. In this study, the anti-inflammatory actions of the methanol extract of Platycodi radix administered via oral administration were evaluated. The results revealed that the extracts exhibited potent anti-inflammatory action. Of the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water fractions, the butanol fraction had the most potent anti-inflammatory action. Additioinally the sapogenin obtained through acid hydrolysis of the butanol fraction did not show anti-inflammatory action. These findings confirm the value of Platycodi radix as a traditional Korean medicine.