Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry
Vol 15, No 1 (2026)

Computational Profiling of Sapindus rarak (Lerak) Phytochemicals as Potential Antibacterial and Immunomodulatory Agents against Escherichia coli

Lisa Savitri (Universitas Kadiri)
Kharisul Ihsan (Universitas Strada Indonesia)
Elfred Rinaldo Kasimo (Universitas Kadiri)
Rochmad Krissanjaya (Universitas Kadiri)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 May 2026

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli continues to rise, creating an urgent need for new antibacterial candidates with novel mechanisms of action. Sapindus rarak contains diverse phytochemicals, including saponins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, yet the molecular basis of their biological activity remains poorly understood. This study aimed to profile the antibacterial and immunomodulatory potential of major S. rarak compounds using a computational approach. Twenty phytochemicals were collected from public databases and evaluated against three targets: E. coli DNA gyrase and DHFR, and human TLR4. Docking analysis identified rarasaponin A and B as the strongest gyrase binders, with binding energies of -9.8 and -9.6 kcal/mol. A 100-ns molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated stable interactions between rarasaponin A and gyrase, supported by consistent RMSD values and an MM–GBSA energy of approximately -42 kcal/mol. Flavonoids such as quercetin-3-O-glucoside showed preferential binding to TLR4 and were predicted to promote IL-10 induction with minimal TNF-alpha activation. ADMET predictions indicated more favorable pharmacokinetic properties for flavonoids than saponins. These findings support a dual-mechanism therapeutic model in which saponins act as antibacterial agents and flavonoids contribute to balanced immune modulation. Further experimental validation through in vitro and in vivo assays is recommended.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

BIOMEDICH

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

BIOLOGY, MEDICINE, & NATURAL PRODUCT CHEMISTRY, this journal is published to attract and disseminate innovative and expert findings in the fields of plant, animal, and microorganism secondary metabolite, and also the effect of natural product on biological system as a reference source for ...