Compositions and methods are provided for reversing and/or inhibiting inflammation, e.g., by inhibiting prostaglandin and/or COX-2 production, using one or more indolequinazoline alkaloids, preferably in combination with butylated hydroxytoluene. The preferred indolequinazoline alkaloids are rutaecarpine, evodiamine, and dehydroevodiamine, which are naturally found in unpurified form in the traditional Chinese medicine Wu Chu Yu made from the fruit of the herb, Evodia rutaecarpa.