Bioactivity Assessment of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of <i>Sida</i> <i>rhombifolia</i>

The aim of this study is to establish a link between the traditional use of Sida rhombifolia and its scientific effectiveness by comparing the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the stem barks, leaves, and roots of the plant harvested in the central region of Cameroon. Following qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, the acute oral toxicity of the extracts was determined using the toxicity class method outlined in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory potentials, along with antioxidant effects, were determined through bovine albumin denaturation assays, measuring edema volume induced by 1% carrageenan in rats’ paws using a plethysmometer, and assessing anti-hemolytic and anti-lipoperoxidative activities. The results showed that EER (ethanolic extract of the roots) is the richest in secondary metabolites and that at doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg of body weight, no signs of toxicity were noted in rats. Of the anti-inflammatory activity, protein denaturation revealed a maximum percentage of inhibition of 84.18% ± 0.19% at the dose of 10 mg/ml of EEF (ethanolic extract of the leaves), and at the sixth hour, the greatest percentages of inhibition of edema were 95.31% for EER and 95.56% for EET (ethanolic extract of the stem barks) at respective doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight. Concerning the antioxidant activity, at the dose of 10 mg/ml, the anti-hemolytic and anti-lipoperoxidative activities showed a respective inhibition percentage of 63.08% for EAT (antioxidant extract of the stem barks) and 47.97% for EAR (antioxidant root extract). Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that Sida rhombifolia extracts are non-toxic at the tested doses, showcasing significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The stem of Sida rhombifolia shows great promise as a medicinal treatment for inflammation.