Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae)

Abstract

An erect perennial subshrub that is native to India, but pantropic in distribution. In Ayurveda, roots are regarded as cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic and aromatic bitters and having antipyretic, demulcent and diuretic properties. In nervous afflictions, such as hemiplegia, facial paralysis, and headache, root is used either by itself or with asafetida and rock salt. The roots are also used as cardiac stimulant (tonic) and for the treatment of asthma. Roots infusion is used in nervous (insanity, facial palsy) and urinary diseases, bleeding piles, strangury and hematuria, gonorrhea, cystitis, leucorrhea, chronic dysentery, and asthma. Roots of Sida species are also known in Indian traditional medicines for their antitumor, anti-HIV, and hepatoprotective properties. Seeds mixed with other ingredients are used to relieve muscular pain, and crushed leaves and root juice are used to promote wound healing. The plant is also reportedly used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, loss of memory, degeneration of nerves and other neuronal disorders by Ayurvedic practitioners. Muslim physicians in India consider the drug aphrodisiac. In the Philippines, leaves decoction is considered emollient and diuretic. Seeds are considered aphrodisiac, and also used for gonorrhea, cystitis, colic and tenesmus. In East Africa, roots are pounded, and mixed with fat are rubbed-in as a cure for lumbago. Bark is chewed to stimulate menstruation, and the plant is used as abortifacient. In Burkina Faso (West Africa), leaf decoction is traditionally used in the treatment of coughs, rheumatic and abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and to prevent miscarriage (the opposite to what it is reportedly used in East Africa), for abdominal infections and associated diseases. Predominant of the reported 142 chemical constituents isolated from this genus are alkaloids, flavonoids and ecdysteroids. Ethanol extract of roots of S. cordifolia shows the presence of reducing sugar, alkaloids, steroids and saponins. From this genus, Sida cordifolia reportedly possesses the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and the highest antioxidant activity. Hydroalcohol extract of leaves showed CNS depressant activity in mice, and ethanol root extract demonstrated significant antistress and adaptogenic activities.