The Rafflesiaceae family consists of three genera of parasitic plants – Rafflesia, Rhizanthes, and Sapria – with purported ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal properties. In this study, the inhibitory properties of 21 characterized metabolites associated with Rafflesia and Sapria were tested against eight proteins linked to human diseases – including seven pathogenic-associated HMGCR, VEGFR2, acetylcholinesterase, NMT, H1N1 neuraminidase, GSK3-β, and estrogen receptor α, and one plant-pathogenic associated Colletotrichum chitin deacetylase. Each metabolite was tested using drug-likeness screening, screening metabolite activity, and molecular docking to eight diseases and microbial physiological processes. Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions between metabolite ligands and protein residues were characterized. Molecular dynamics were also assessed to analyze the stability of the protein-ligand interaction. Our results indicate that the gallotannins and flavonol phenolics from Rafflesia and Sapria display high inhibitory potential against disease proteins. All metabolite-protein pairs displayed stable fluctuations. However, some compounds disobeyed LRO5 drug-likeness and displayed moderate bioavailability and synthetic accessibility, so an improved drug delivery method is required. All 21 metabolites are available in other popular edible plants (mainly tea and certain berries) and could be used to create artificially mixed metabolite-based medicine to prevent the exploitation and endangerment of wild Rafflesia and Sapria populations. Our activity likelihood screening and molecular docking data indicate that Rafflesia and Sapria metabolites possess considerable potential as anti-cholesterol, respiratory antiviral, wound-healing, and antifungal properties. To protect Rafflesiaceae plants in the wild, metabolites can be assessed from other plant sources and combined as an artificial herbal mix.

Introduction: Sambucus is a genus of the Adoxaceae family and has been widely used as a food and medicinal source. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of S. javanica extracts toward T cells regulation in the 7,12-dimethylbenzene (a) anthracene (DMBA)-exposed mice. Methods: Thirty mice were used in this experiment which divided into six treatment groups and five times repetition. Three-month-old BALB/c mice were administrated with 2.8 mg.kg-1 BW of DMBA as carcinogen agent for ten times within four weeks, then continuously treated with 400 and 800 mg.kg-1 BW of S. javanica berries leaves extracts daily for two weeks. Treatment groups in this study were vehicle as negative control, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg-1 BW as positive control; BD1 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg-1 + berries extracts 400 mg.kg-1 BW; BD2 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg-1 + berries extracts 800 mg.kg-1 BW; LD1 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg-1 + leaves extract 400 mg.kg1 BW; and LD2 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg-1 + leaves extract 800 mg.kg-1 BW. The relative number of CD4+CD25+CD62L+ cells and CD4+CD62L+ cells were measured and analyzed by using flow cytometer. Results: DMBA induction decreased the relative number of CD4+CD25+CD62L+ cells while the leaves extract of S. javanica significantly increased their expression. Furthermore, DMBA promoted the relative number of CD4+CD62L+ cells expression while leaves and berries extracts of S. javanica sharply suppressed its expression. Conclusion: The results suggest that, S. javanica extracts may exert their medicinal properties by modulating T cells regulation in DMBA-induced mice.