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In Vivo Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Sapindus rarak (Lerak) and Host Immunological Profiles in an Escherichia coli Infection Model Savitri, Lisa; Ihsan, Kharisul; Kasimo, Elfred Rinaldo; Krissanjaya, Rochmad
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.319-324

Abstract

This study evaluated the in vivo antibacterial activity of Sapindus rarak (lerak) extract and its effects on host immune responses during Escherichia coli infection. Lerak contains saponins and other bioactive compounds that have shown promising antimicrobial effects in vitro, but in vivo evidence remains limited. Male BALB/c mice were assigned to healthy, infected control, and three treatment groups receiving low, medium, or high doses of lerak extract. All infected groups were orally challenged with pathogenic E. coli and treated for seven days. Clinical signs, bacterial load, cytokines, immunoglobulin levels, and tissue histopathology were assessed. Mice in the infected control group developed weight loss, diarrhea, and systemic signs of infection, whereas those receiving lerak extract showed milder symptoms, especially at higher doses. Lerak significantly reduced bacterial counts in intestinal and systemic tissues, with the strongest effect in the high-dose group. Treatment also decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and increased IL-10, indicating a shift toward controlled inflammation. Serum IgA levels were elevated in treated mice, suggesting enhanced mucosal protection. Histopathology confirmed reduced epithelial damage and inflammatory infiltration in the intestine, liver, and spleen. These findings suggest that lerak extract exerts both antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects in vivo. Its dual activity highlights its potential as a plant-derived therapeutic candidate for managing enteric infections caused by E. coli. Further fractionation and mechanistic studies are warranted to identify active compounds and clarify biological pathways involved.
In Silico Study of Bioactive Compounds from Acalypha indica L. Interacting with the COX-2 Receptor as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Candidates Savitri, Lisa; Ihsan, Kharisul; Krissanjaya, Rochmad; Kasimo, Elfred Rinaldo
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.31-37

Abstract

Acalypha indica L. is a medicinal herb traditionally used across Asia for treating inflammation-related conditions. Although several studies report anti-inflammatory activity in its extracts, little is known about the molecular interaction of its individual phytochemicals with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)—a validated therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. This study fills this gap by performing a comprehensive in silico analysis of 20 major bioactive compounds of A. indica using molecular docking, binding interaction profiling, and ADMET predictions. Docking against the COX-2 receptor (PDB: 3LN1) using AutoDock Vina revealed that rutin (-10.4 kcal/mol), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (-10.1 kcal/mol), quercetin (-9.6 kcal/mol), and luteolin (-9.3 kcal/mol) demonstrated strong predicted affinity and stable interactions with key residues Arg120, Tyr355, and Tyr385, comparable to celecoxib (-10.8 kcal/mol). ADMET profiling showed that aglycone flavonoids possessed more favorable drug-likeness properties than glycosides. These results suggest that A. indica contains multiple promising lead compounds for future COX-2 inhibition studies and highlight the molecular mechanisms supporting its ethnomedicinal use as an anti-inflammatory agent.
In Vitro Assessment of the Antibacterial Activity of Sapindus rarak (Lerak) and Its Influence on Cellular Immune Markers During Escherichia coli Infection Savitri, Lisa; Ihsan, Kharisul; Kasimo, Elfred Rinaldo; Krissanjaya, Rochmad
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.209-213

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli remains a major public health concern, prompting interest in plant-derived compounds with both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Sapindus rarak (lerak) extract and its influence on macrophage cytokine responses during E. coli stimulation. Lerak pericarp extract was prepared using 70% ethanol and tested against E. coli ATCC 25922 using broth microdilution. Immunomodulatory effects were assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed to heat-killed E. coli, followed by treatment with sub-MIC concentrations of the extract. The results showed moderate antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 250 microgram/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 500 microgram/mL. Cell viability exceeded 90% at 50–100 microgram/mL, confirming suitability for immunological assays. Lerak significantly reduced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production while increasing IL-10 levels, indicating suppression of excessive inflammation and enhancement of regulatory responses. These findings suggest that S. rarak possesses dual antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapeutic candidate for managing E. coli infections where inflammation contributes to disease severity.
Computational Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Acalypha indica L. Phytochemicals Against Staphylococcus aureus DNA Gyrase Savitri, Lisa; Ihsan, Kharisul; Kasimo, Elfred Rinaldo; Krissanjaya, Rochmad
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.451-455

Abstract

This study investigated the antibacterial potential of phytochemical compounds derived from Acalypha indica L. against the DNA gyrase of Staphylococcus aureus using an in silico computational approach. Phytochemical structures were collected from established compound databases and subjected to geometry optimization to ensure conformational stability before molecular docking analysis. Docking simulations were carried out using AutoDock Vina to evaluate the binding affinity and interaction profiles of each ligand with the ATP-binding domain of DNA gyrase, a critical enzyme involved in bacterial DNA replication. The three-dimensional structure of S. aureus DNA gyrase was obtained from the Protein Data Bank and prepared through removal of water molecules, addition of polar hydrogens, and refinement of active-site residues. Among the screened ligands, five compounds exhibited strong predicted affinities, with binding energies ranging from -6.8 to -9.1 kcal/mol. Compound C demonstrated the most favorable interaction, forming stable hydrogen bonds and extensive hydrophobic contacts within the catalytic pocket, suggesting a strong inhibitory potential. Compound E also showed a high affinity, although its orientation within the binding site was slightly less optimal. ADMET predictions indicated that all top candidates satisfied drug-likeness criteria, showed good absorption potential, and presented low toxicity risks. Overall, the findings highlight that Acalypha indica L. contains bioactive constituents with promising inhibitory activity against bacterial DNA gyrase. These results support the traditional use of the plant in antimicrobial applications and provide a foundation for further experimental validation through in vitro enzyme inhibition assays and in vivo studies to confirm their therapeutic relevance.
Co-Authors Afrilla, Rananda Agung Dwi Wahyu Widodo Agustanti, Khalimatus Nur Eka Akbar Nur Kholis Alimansur, Moh Alves, Silvina Sandra X. Amanda, Cornelia Aminah Alfiani Ana Retnowati Anjarwati, Aprilia Antoro, Ester Lianawati Apriana, Dita Arif Budi Setiawan Besan, Emma Jayanti Datin An Nisa Sukmawati Datin An Nisa Sukmawati Dhony Hermanto Edda, Ilda Rambu Eka Wahyuningtiyas Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo, Elfred Rinaldo Elly Megasari Ester Lianawati Antoro Ester Lianawati Antoro Ester Lianawati Antoro Ester Lianawati Antoro Evi Laela Sari Farabi, Meka Faizal Fendy Prasetyawan Fitri, Devi Nor Freitas, João Gregório Freitas, Maria Do Carmo Da Costa Herman Hilmi, Mochammad Hanif Ida Septika Wulansari Ida Septika Wulansari Ida Septika Wulansari Ida Septika Wulansari Ihsan, Kharisul Imam Agus Faizal Indrayanti, Dian Iza Dwi Muslikha Juan Vega Mahardhika Juan Vega Mahardika Juwita, Syntia Tanu Kadir, Mujtahid Bin Abd Kadir, Mujtahid Bin And Kasimo, Elfred Khalimatus Nur Eka Agustanti Kharisma Rahmasari Kharisul Ihsan Kharisul Ihsan Kholis, Akbar Nur Kholis, Muhammad Akbar Nur Laili, Nur Fahma La’ally Maula Lian Pandu Farendra Loviana, Novi Maria Do Carmo Da Costa Freitas Masyhuri, Aga Adi Mebung, Konradus Klala Megasari, Elly Meri, Meri Mika Tri Kumala Swandari, Mika Tri Kumala Mila Putri Daniati Mochamad Hanif Hilmi Mochamad Hanif Hilmi Mosse1, Yosep Muhammad Nurul Fadel Muslikha, Iza Dwi Muttaqin, Saiful Neni Probosiwi Novirma Yanti Novirma Yanti Novyananda Salmasfattah Novyananda Salmasfattah Nur Fahma Laili Nur Fahma Laili Nurul Ismillayli Ornai, Andre Mario Sequeira Alves Rasyadan Taufiq Probojati Renaldi Umbu Ndamung Kale Restyana, Anggi Restyana, Anggy Retnowati, Ana Rochmad Krissanjaya Salmasfattah, Novyananda Sanjaya, Rochmad Kris Shinta Mayasari Shinta Mayasari Sueb Sugeng Santoso Syntia Tanu Juwita Syntia Tanu Juwita Syntia Tanu Juwita Syntia Tanu Juwita Syntia Tanu Juwita Syntia Tanu Juwita Tiyas, Eka Wahyuning Tridoso Sapto A Tsamrotul Ilmi Willy Sandhika Wulansari, Ida Septika Yanti, Novirma Yosep Mosse Yosep Mosse1 yunadi, frisca dewi Yuneka Saristiana