Herbs (Global Traditional) · Ayurveda
Sida (Sida cordifolia) (Sida cordifolia)
Moderate Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Sida cordifolia is an Ayurvedic herb containing ephedrine alkaloids that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. The plant demonstrates potential neuroprotective effects against protein aggregation and antimalarial activity through its bioactive alkaloid compounds.
Sida cordifolia, commonly known as country mallow or bala, is a perennial shrub from the Malvaceae family native to India, Africa, and Australia, traditionally sourced from its roots, leaves, and whole plant. It is typically extracted using methanol or ethanol solvents to yield bioactive fractions rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides.
No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses were identified for Sida cordifolia. Evidence is limited to preclinical studies including mouse malaria models showing 76.90% parasitemia suppression at 400 mg/kg, and Huntington's disease models in C. elegans demonstrating lifespan extension from 11.55 to 17.07 days (related PMIDs: 40177520, 37861013).
No clinically studied human dosages exist. Preclinical studies used 1 μg/mL methanolic extract in cell cultures, 400 mg/kg leaf extract in mice for antimalarial effects, and various ethanol root extracts for other applications. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Sida cordifolia is not consumed as a food source, so a conventional nutritional profile (macronutrients, calories, vitamins, minerals per serving) is not applicable. Its pharmacological relevance derives from its bioactive phytochemical composition: **Alkaloids:** • Ephedrine (~0.1–0.15% of dried aerial parts; varies by plant part and geographic origin) • Pseudoephedrine (trace to ~0.05%) • Vasicinone and vasicine (trace amounts) • Cryptolepine (detected in root extracts) — Note: Ephedrine content is the basis for its stimulant and bronchodilatory properties; bioavailability is high orally but raises significant safety concerns (cardiovascular, CNS stimulation). **Flavonoids & Polyphenols:** • Kaempferol, quercetin, and their glycosides (estimated total flavonoid content ~1.5–3.5 mg quercetin equivalents/g of dried extract) • Rutin and chrysoeriol derivatives • Total phenolic content: approximately 15–45 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of dried extract (varies with solvent and plant part) — Bioavailability of flavonoid glycosides is moderate; aglycones are better absorbed. **Phytosterols & Terpenoids:** • β-sitosterol (~0.05–0.2% of dried material) • Stigmasterol (trace) • Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone; reported in some analyses, concentration variable) **Fatty Acids (from seeds):** • Seed oil contains palmitic acid (~20%), stearic acid (~5%), oleic acid (~15%), linoleic acid (~45%), and sterculic/malvalic acids (cyclopropene fatty acids, ~8–12%) — the cyclopropene fatty acids are considered antinutritional/toxic. **Mucilage & Polysaccharides:** • Significant mucilage content in leaves and roots (estimated 5–10% of dry weight), contributing to its traditional use as a demulcent. Contains galacturonic acid-rich polysaccharides. **Fiber (crude):** • Whole plant crude fiber approximately 15–22% of dry weight (stems contribute most; not typically ingested as dietary fiber). **Minerals (from whole plant ash analysis, approximate):** • Calcium: ~1.5–3.0% of dry weight • Potassium: ~1.0–2.5% • Magnesium: ~0.3–0.8% • Iron: ~150–500 ppm • Zinc: ~30–80 ppm — These values are from dried plant material analyses and are not relevant to typical supplemental dosing. **Protein:** • Crude protein ~8–14% of dry weight (leaves); amino acid profile not well characterized for nutritional quality. **Other Bioactive Compounds:** • Choline (reported in aerial parts) • Betaine (trace) • Quinazoline alkaloids **Bioavailability Notes:** — Alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine) are well-absorbed orally with high systemic bioavailability (~85–100%), which underlies both therapeutic effects and toxicity risk. — Flavonoid glycosides have moderate oral bioavailability (~5–20%), improved with concurrent fat intake or gut microbiota-mediated deglycosylation. — Mucilage polysaccharides are largely non-absorbed and exert local gastrointestinal effects (soothing, prebiotic potential). — β-sitosterol has low oral bioavailability (~5–10%) but may still modulate cholesterol absorption. — Cyclopropene fatty acids in seed oil are a safety concern and limit seed oil's utility.
Sida cordifolia's ephedrine alkaloids activate beta-adrenergic receptors and inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing cyclic AMP levels. The plant's compounds reduce protein aggregates through enhanced cellular clearance mechanisms and demonstrate antimalarial effects by disrupting Plasmodium parasite metabolism. Anti-inflammatory activity occurs through inhibition of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways.
Current evidence for Sida cordifolia is primarily from preliminary studies using cell cultures and animal models. Neuroprotective effects have been observed in C. elegans models of Huntington's disease, showing reduced protein aggregation. Animal studies demonstrated 76.90% parasitemia suppression in malaria-infected mice. However, robust human clinical trials are lacking, and most evidence remains at the preclinical stage requiring further validation.
Sida cordifolia contains ephedrine alkaloids that may cause cardiovascular side effects including increased heart rate, blood pressure elevation, and cardiac arrhythmias. The herb may interact with stimulant medications, blood pressure drugs, and cardiac medications due to its sympathomimetic properties. Contraindicated in individuals with heart disease, hypertension, or anxiety disorders. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established and should be avoided.
