Prof. B.S. Vishwanath

Presently working on the following research areas.
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors as anti-inflammatory molecules.
The key enzyme involved in acute and chronic inflammatory reaction is PLA2. The powerful anti-inflammatory drug glucocortisosteroid has many side effects. The interest is in finding alternative specific PLA2 inhibitor(s) from various medicinal plants. In addition synthesis and derivatization of potent PLA2 molecules with anti-inflammatory activity is in progress.

Biochemical and pharmacological actions of plant latex proteases: 
Blood coagulation and wound healing processes are strictly regulated by proteolytic events. Plant latex is known to control bleeding and is extensively used in folk medicine. Proteases from these plant latex were isolated and characterized for their involvement in blood coagulation and wound healing processes 
Clinical significance of hyaluronan degrading enzymes in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions. 
Myxedema is the main characteristic feature of hypothyroid condition where the content of hyaluronic acid is elevated. This condition is effectively treated by thyroid hormones. The effect of thyroid hormones on the regulation of hyaluronic acid content by enzymes is currently being investigated.

• New Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and their importance in therapeutics: 
  Angiotensin Converting Enzyme is involved in the elevation of Blood Pressure (Hypertension). In the treatment of High Blood Pressure, the existing ACE inhibitors have side effects and hence, we are attempting to synthesize safe and effective ACE-inhibitory peptides as well as to isolate and characterize ACE inhibitory bioactive molecules from medicinal plant extracts.
• Also working on the venom components of Trimeresurus malabaricus an endemic snake which occur in Western Ghats of India.

Dr. K. Kemparaju

Working on the pharmacology of venoms from snakes and spiders. 
Anti-venom therapy fails to control the local toxicity of envenomation. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are in demand for the efficient management of the condition. Further, as venoms are known as the depot of molecules that exhibit high target specificity, there is a greater scope for isolation, characterization and understanding the molecular mechanisms of toxins that may serve as prototypes for designing therapeutic molecules. Therefore, the focus is on:

• Isolation and characterization of toxins responsible for local toxicity of venoms.
• Isolation, characterization and understanding the molecular mechanisms of venom  Components that interfere in homeostasis.
• Inhibition of hydrolytic enzymes especially, the hyaluronidases and matrix  degrading metalloproteases by plant components and their role in the management  of local toxicity.

Dr. Gopal Marathe

Dr. Marathe has extensively worked on biologically active phospholipids for the past several years and recently joined the faculty in 2007. Platelet activating factor (PAF) and related lipid molecules are implicated in variety of inflammatory disorders.  Although the mechanism of their synthesis is currently not clear, an alternative pathway by which PAF analogues are made by oxidative fragmentation of phospholipids has been identified.  Such a pathway is employed extensively during LDL oxidation.  The current project involves the identification of such mediators in a variety of inflammatory disorders such as asthma and sepsis.
In another project in collaboration with scientists from Cleveland Clinic Foundation, mechanisms underlying aspirin resistance are currently being investigated.

Status of the Department (FIST/SAP/DRS)

Individual teachers on-going research projects:

Individual teachers on-going research projects:

Click here to view UGC- Major Research Project on Antagonism of platelet activation factor (PAF) - mediated inflammatory response by Tylophora asthmatica

Click here to view Final Report of UGC- Major Research Project on "Management of hypertension and associated risks by inhibiting pro hypertinsive enzymes using novel peptides"