Scientist-F

As a researcher, I have made significant and original contributions in the area of medicinal chemistry / organic chemistry. During my scientific journey, I have made substantial contributions to developing novel Estrogen Receptor Modulators for the treatment of estrogen-dependent disorders, mainly breast cancer and osteoporosis. To achieve the research objectives, our research group synthesized various new pharmacophores through structural modifications of naturally occurring Benzopyrans, such as daidzein, tambulin, precocene, and their derivatives. My approach is to get selective anticancer agents for breast cancer and anti-osteoporotic agents by targeting Estrogen receptors, more specifically estrogen receptor-β. Several potent leads have been identified with selective anticancer activity (IC50 = 10nM to 10 μM) and anti-osteoporotic properties at 1 pM concentrations. A few leads have also been obtained with anticancer activity against breast cancer. In an in vivo model, some of these leads showed good and selective anti-breast cancer and anti-osteoporotic effects at a 5mg/kg body weight dose. These leads were non-toxic to albino mice in acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies. These pharmacophores had affinity to estrogen receptors. In addition, several synthetic and semisynthetic analogues of chalcones and heterocyclic compounds have also been synthesized as potent antimycobacterial agents (MIC = 3.6 to 25μg/mL). I have also developed isolation processes for Silymarin and its constituents from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. and Glabridin as antimycobacterial agents from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and a novel chemical process for vanillin production from eugenol and eugenol-rich essential oils. I have also developed new synthetic methodologies to modify natural compounds for their target-oriented pharmacological actions and value addition.