Pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis of Dhatakyadi Churna: Unlocking its therapeutic potential against colorectal cancer using in silico network pharmacology

Background: Dhatakyadi Churna is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation used for diarrhea, dysentery, and digestive disorders. It helps control bleeding and improves gut health. Despite its extensive use and application of the drug repurposing approach, there remains a dearth of scientific data on its detailed chemical profile. Methods: The in-house prepared Dhatakyadi Churna was assessed using pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and in silico network pharmacological analyses. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of a wide range of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, proteins, starch, and saponins. Further quantification of these phytochemicals confirms a higher amount of carbohydrates (49.591%) and proteins (17.960%). Several bioactive phytochemicals were found in Dhatakyadi Churna, according to FT-IR, HPTLC, and GC–MS analysis. Further, a comprehensive in silico network pharmacology has been used to evaluate the potential therapeutic potential of these phytoconstituents. Pathway enrichment via KEGG and GO analysis suggests that bioactive compounds act by modulating inflammatory and immune regulation pathways. From docking analysis, the compound Caryophyllene oxide exhibits a stronger interaction with PIK3CA against colorectal cancer. Conclusion: These findings not only reveal the unexplored bioactive phytoconstituents present in Dhatakyadi Churna but also unlock their therapeutic potential against colorectal cancer through a drug-repurposing approach. Future preclinical and clinical studies are highly necessary to verify safety and effectiveness in human use.