Background- Desmodium gangeticum (DG) is commonly known as “shalparni” in Ayurveda. It grows as undershrub and categorised as “shothahara” meaning anti inflammatory as per classical ayurveda texts. Macrophages are one of the main players involved in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to study the effect of shalparni on inflammation in macrophages. Methods: Human monocytic cell line THP-1, was used for this study. THP-1 cells were stimulated using PMA and further differentiated into M1 using LPS and IFN-γ. Methanolic root extract of shalparni was used to study its effect on cells. Inflammatory mediators, surface proteins, chemokines and anti-inflammatory markers were studied using molecular biology tools. Results: The gene expression analysis showed DG treatment leads to reduction in transcripts level of IL-1β and IL-6 in M1 macrophages. CD38, a cell surface protein showed subdued expression following shalparni treatment. MCP-1, a chemokine showed downregulation while TGF-β expression level was found to be upregulated after treatment. Conclusion: The reduction in inflammatory mediators clearly validates the ayurvedic property of this plant. Alterations in cell surface markers suggests the phenotypic shift in classically activated macrophages. Reduction in chemokine associated with M1 macrophages confirms the reduction in inflammatory cytokine production. Increased TGF-β suggests increase in antiinflammatory response. These observations suggest shalparni has potential to be used in treating macrophage associated inflammatory conditions.