Ardisia solanacea is a well-known herb with a significant medicinal value. Traditionally, the plant extracts have commonly been used as an immunomodulator, antimicrobial, thrombolytic, anthelminthic, and cytotoxic agent in India. The objective of this study was to assess the in-vivo antiarthritic potential of A. solanacea in the adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model. The rats were divided into nine groups (n = 6). They were administered with complete freunds adjuvant (CFA) in the right hind paw and treated with different doses (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg) of the leaf extract orally from day one to day 21st. The standard group was treated with 10 mg/kg body weight of diclofenac sodium. Throughout the treatment, we monitored the differences in paw edema, body weight (BW), and arthritis index in different groups of animals. Besides, we also have evaluated the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor (RF), and hematology. Further, we have assessed the severity of arthritis through radiography and histopathology of ankle joints. In addition, we also have studied liver and kidney histology. The arthritic symptoms were subsided significantly (p < 0.01) in the test extract treated groups at a higher dose. We also observed a downregulation of cytokines in the ASM and ASW treated group compared to the negative control. Furthermore, radiography and histopathology revealed improved prognosis in ASM and ASW administered groups. Methanolic and aqueous extract of Ardisia solanacea exhibited potential antiarthritic effect against CFA-induced arthritic rats.Graphic abstract: