Sapindus mukorossi Bio actives: Ethnomedicinal Importance, Pharmacological Potential and Molecular Docking Analysis

Sapindus mukorossi (soapberry) is a deciduous tree widely distributed across Asia and extensively used in Ayurvedic, Chinese and folk medicine for managing diverse ailments. Its pericarp, seeds, leaves, roots and galls have historically been employed as expectorants, contraceptives, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties and molecular docking studies of S. mukorossi, highlighting its potential as a lead source of bioactive compounds. Published literature on S. mukorossi was reviewed with emphasis on phytochemistry, pharmacological studies (in vitro and in vivo) and in silico molecular docking analyses of triterpenoid saponins and other key phytoconstituents. The plant is a rich source of structurally diverse triterpenoid saponins (oleanane, dammarane, tirucallane and lupane types), flavonoids, fatty acids and sesquiterpenoidal glycosides. Experimental studies demonstrate broad-spectrum biological activities including spermicidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, and insecticidal effects. Sapindus mukorossi represents a promising medicinal resource with multiple pharmacological effects validated by experimental and computational approaches. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities of selected saponins with therapeutic targets such as COX-2, DNA gyrase, lanosterol 14α-demethylase, Keap1-Nrf2 complex and EGFR, supporting their proposed mechanisms of action. However, further mechanistic, toxicological and clinical investigations are required to translate these findings into standardized therapeutic applications.