Quantification, Chemical and Biological Characterization of the Saponosides Material from Sida Cordifolia L. (Escobilla)

The study focused on Sida cordifolia L., a plant used in traditional medicine in Colombia and Brazil, particularly for hair loss, inflammation, and other ailments. Researchers aimed to quantify the saponoside content and assess its antioxidant and antifungal properties. They prepared various extracts from the plant's aerial parts and found that Sida cordifolia is a rich source of steroidal saponins, such as hecogenin and diosgenin. These compounds contributed to the plant's antioxidant and antifungal activities, although their effectiveness could vary depending on whether they act alone or with other plant metabolites like tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids.