Evaluation of Haemolytic Activity of Leaves from Acacia podalyriifolia

Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn ex G. Don (Fabaceae) is a plant used in south Brazil for ornamental purposes. The leaves are used in folk medicine for the treatment of bacterial infection, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances, in addition to fat reduction and as an antioxidant agent. Ethnopharmacological studies reported in the literature showed the presence of coumarin, tannin, cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids and saponins. The evaluation of the haemolytic activity of dry crude butanolic extract from leaves of A. podalyriifolia was evaluated and it revealed a low haemolytic activity when compared with the extract of Tribullus terrestris, herbal reference product.