The aqueous and organic extracts of Acacia visco Lor. Ap Griseb (Fabaceae) were tested for antiinflammatory activity in experimental models in rat. Besides, the free-radical scavenging capacity of extracts from A. visco was determined. The extracts revealed antiinflammatory effect against carrageenan-induced oedema, phospholipase A 2 -induced oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and they did not show acute toxic effect. Among the class of compounds characterized from A. visco leaves, the triterpenoid 20(29)-lupen-3b-ol (lupeol), 12-ursen-3b-ol (a-amyrin) and 12-oleanen-3b-ol (b-amyrin) may be mainly responsible for the pharmacological activities.