FACULTY

Dr. Ashwini Prabhu

Associate Professor Stage-I
  • PhD, Cancer Biology and Cytogenetics
  • MSc-Biosciences
  • ashwiniprabhu@yenepoya.edu.in

Profile

Having expertise in Cell and Molecular Biology, I am serving the Cancer Research and Therapeutics (CaRT) division of Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) since November 2015. I obtained my Ph.D. from Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University in 2013, wherein I evaluated the effect of certain natural anti-neoplastic agents on chemically induced skin and uterine cervix carcinoma using mouse models. I am working on novel immunomodulators and anti-angiogenic agents that can target metastasis, using both in vitro and in vivo models. I am also working on the development of novel nanoformulations for targeting cancer regression.

PostDoc/Experience

  • Working as Associate Professor at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University (April 2023 –till date)
  • Working as Assistant Professor at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University (November 2015 – March 2023)
  • Worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University (September 2013 – October 2015)
  • Worked as R& D officer for Tetragon Chemie Pvt. Ltd . Bangalore (July 2005 – July 2007)

Awards/Honors

  • First rank in M.Sc. Biosciences, Mangalore University (2005)
  • Qualified UGC-CSIR (2005)
  • Junior Research Fellowship from BRNS (2008-2010)
  • Senior Research Fellowship from BRNS (2010-2011)

 

Research

 

Research Interest/Area

 Angiogenesis inhibitors and immunomodulators as cancer therapeutics, Natural compounds, Metal oxide nanoparticles, Dendrimers, Liposomes, Drug delivery systems

Research

Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels is an important process in tumor progression. Targeting angiogenesis/inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase activity is considered as one of the key strategies in cancer therapy. Several compounds are known to inhibit angiogenesis in in vitro and in vivo models. Hence, the work on isolation of natural antiangiogenic compounds was carried out by our group and obtained promising results of which lupeol, a triterpene showed potent antiangiogenic and MMP inhibitory activities in in vitro models. Also, the compound was found to be cytotoxic against glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive drug resistant form of brain tumor. Further efforts towards deciphering the underlying cellular signaling mechanisms are ongoing, with the aim to develop angiogenesis inhibitors as adjuvant therapeutics with conventional therapies.

We worked towards deciphering the adjuvant therapeutic strategy of gamma radiation in combination with an angiogenesis inhibitor for targeting malignant glioma, both in vitro and in vivo and obtained promising results. This work was funded by DAE-BRNS.

A novel liposomal nanoformulation was developed and characterized by our group, with excellent antiangiogenic and cytotoxic property on malignant glioma cells. This formulation could effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and further studies are ongoing.

We also developed a phytoformulation for targeting NSCLC using Withania somnifera extract and natural preservatives. This formulation was found to possess potential apoptotic and autophagy induction characteristics.

We also aim to develop and characterize metal oxide nanoformulations and novel dendrimeric drug delivery systems as vectors for anticancer drugs.

Publications                                                                                                                                                                                              Full List:

  1. Rani V, Venkatesan J, Prabhu A*. d-limonene loaded liposomes target malignant glioma cells via the downregulation of angiogenic growth factors. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and technology. 2023; 82: 104358
  2. Rani V, Revanasiddappa BC, Mahendra GS, Deshpande S, Venkatesan J, Dalavi PA, Prabhu A*. Cytotoxic and apoptotic efficacy of Alkanna tinctoria on glioma cells. Natural Product Research. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2155644
  3. Rani V, Prabhu A*. In vitro blood brain barrier models: Molecular aspects and therapeutic strategies in glioma management. Current Research in Translational Medicine. 2022; 71: 103376
  4. Sajida, Prabhu A*. Withania somnifera deploys immunomodulation and exerts anticancer effects on lung adenocarcinoma cells. South African Journal of Botany. 2022; 151: 47-65.
  5. Rani V, Pavan SR, Prabhu A*. Nutraceuticals derived from dietary spices as candidate molecules in targeting glioma signaling pathways. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2022; 32: 514-526
  6. Pavan SR, Venkatesan J, Prabhu A*. Anticancer activity of silver nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of Dictyota ciliolata on non-small cell lung cancer cells. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2022; 74: 103525

Patents

  • Ashwini Prabhu, Vinitha Rani, Jayachandran Venkatesan. Nanoliposomal formulation (202241013657) – Indian patent Filed
  • Ashwini Prabhu, Sajida M. Herbal formulation for targeting lung cancer (202241044762) – Indian patent Filed
  • Ashwini Prabhu, Vinitha Rani, Goda Jayant Sastri. An adjuvant angiogenesis inhibitor for targeting glioma (202241044764) – Indian patent Filed
  • Ashwini Prabhu, Pavan SR. Cobalt-porphyrin based drug delivery and bioimaging platform for targeting glioblastoma (202241049327) – Indian patent Filed
  • Yashodhar P. Bhandary, Sadiya Bi Shaikh, Mohd. Altaf Najar, Ashwini Prabhu, Prashant Kumar Modi, T. S. Keshava Prasad. Molecular Biomarkers for Detection of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (201941048222) – Indian patent Published

Projects

  • Principal Investigator for the project titled “Development and investigation of adjuvant therapeutic strategies for treating malignant glioma by gamma radiation in combination with angiogenesis inhibition” (Funding: DAE-BRNS)
  • Co-investigator for the project titled “A novel strategy for enhancing the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in diabetic wound care” (Funding: DST)
  • Co-investigator for the project titled “ Study of association between valproic acid levels, biotinidase activity and hair loss in Indian population” (Funding: IAPP)
  • Co-investigator for the project titled “Development of thermoresponsive polymer nanogels for sustained release of Bevacizumab towards efficient treatment of diabetic macular edema” (Funding: DST-SERB)
  • Co-investigator for the project titled “Evaluation of the properties of tissue conditioner containing co-polymerizable quaternary-ammonium based antimicrobial monomers as an antimicrobial additive” (Funding: VGST)

Co-investigator for the project titled “Autologous Platelet Rich Fibrin as a promising strategy in the management of chronic periodontitis in diabetics” (Recommended for funding: DST-SERB)

Lab Members