Mapping the Anti-Anaemic Signaling Landscape of Rajanyadi Churna Using Network Pharmacology-Driven Molecular Docking

Background

Anaemia is a multifactorial hematological disorder influenced by impaired erythropoiesis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and disturbed iron metabolism. Rajanyadi Churna is a well-known classical Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, traditionally prescribed in Pandu Roga (anaemia), comprising diverse phytochemicals with possible hematinic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities.

Objectives

This study systematically explores anti-anaemic mechanisms of Rajanyadi Churna using an integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking approach.

Materials and Methods

Phytoconstituents of Rajanyadi churna were collected from literature and public database. Targets of all the compounds was retrieved form the Swiss target predication and highly modulated targets were docked by using Schrodinger software.

Results

A total of 79 phytoconstituents and 881 anaemia-related genes were screened, out of which 119 shared targets were obtained. PPI analysis highlighted highly connected hub genes including AKT1, IL6, TP53, STAT3, EGFR, MTOR, HIF1A, and TNF. Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) clustering identified five significant functional modules associated with erythropoiesis, cytokine regulation, apoptosis, oxidative stress response, and iron homeostasis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis highlighted HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, JAK-STAT, MAPK, glutathione metabolism, and NF-κB signaling as key therapeutic pathways modulated by the formulation. Network construction of compound-target-pathway positioned Apiole and EGFR as central nodes, reflecting a high level of polypharmacological interaction. Results of molecular docking depicted strong binding affinities of several phytoconstituents toward EGFR, wherein Rhoifolin (-12.809) and Taxifolin-3-glucoside (-10.846) outperformed standard inhibitors in specific interactions.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings highlight that Rajanyadi Churna exerts anti-anaemic effects through a synergistic multi-target mechanism.