Natural Products Research

Biography

Dr. Kannan RR Rengasamy has an impressive and diverse medicinal chemistry and drug discovery background. His leadership role as the head of the Laboratory of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry (LNPMC) at the Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital in Chennai, India, reflects his commitment to advancing research in these areas. His association with the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences at North-West University in South Africa as an Extraordinary Professor highlights his international collaborations and contributions to the global research community. The recognition through the prestigious Claude Leon Foundation fellowship, NRF Innovation Fellowship, and NRF "C" Rating (2022-2027) from the National Research Foundation in South Africa further underscores his significant achievements and contributions to research.  Dr. Rengasamy's expertise in the chemistry of medicinal plants, lead design, synthesis, and experimental therapeutics, as well as his substantial publication record in SCI (E) journals, demonstrates his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge. Additionally, his editorial role in reputable pharmacology journals showcases his involvement in shaping and disseminating research in the field. Moreover, his active participation in the International Lipid Expert Panel and collaboration with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the USA reflects his engagement in broader scientific networks and initiatives. Overall, Dr. Kannan RR Rengasamy appears to be a distinguished researcher with a strong focus on medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and experimental therapeutics, making significant contributions nationally and internationally to the field.
Dr. Rengasamy's lab is well-equipped with high-end computational facilities for computational drug discovery research. Having access to advanced computational resources is crucial in modern drug discovery efforts. These facilities likely include powerful computers, servers, and software tools that enable researchers to perform complex simulations, virtual screenings, molecular modelling, and other computational analyses.

Education

  • Ph.D. Marine Biotechnology, Annamalai University, India

    M.Phil. Marine Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, India

    M.Sc. Marine Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, India

    B.Sc. Zoology, Madurai Kamaraj University, India

Key research areas

  • Anti-Mycobacterial Drug Development: Mycobacteria are the causative agents of tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy. Developing drugs specifically targeting these bacteria is crucial due to the global impact of TB. Our lab has identified several novel compounds with potential anti-mycobacterial properties. Further research includes understanding the mechanisms of action against mycobacteria and assessing the drug's efficacy in progress.

  • Anti-Malarial Drug Development: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a significant global health concern, particularly in many tropical and subtropical regions. Our lab is working on discovering new drugs to combat malaria, considering the emergence of drug-resistant strains. This research involves screening compounds for anti-malarial activity, studying their impact on the malaria life cycle, and optimizing their pharmacological properties.

  • Anti-Diabetic Drug Development: Diabetes is a widespread metabolic disorder, and developing effective and safe anti-diabetic drugs is essential. Our lab focuses on discovering compounds that can regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, or target other aspects of diabetes pathophysiology. This involves both synthetic compounds and natural products with potential anti-diabetic properties.

  • Multidisciplinary Approach: Given the complexity of these diseases, a multidisciplinary approach is likely, involving medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and potentially computational biology. Understanding the specific molecular targets for each condition and designing drugs that interact selectively with these targets would be critical.

  • Preclinical and Clinical Validation: Our lab will conduct rigorous preclinical studies to establish the safety and efficacy of the identified drug candidates. Transitioning to clinical trials would be a subsequent step to evaluate the drugs' performance in human subjects.

  • Collaborations and Networking: Collaboration with other research groups, clinicians, and possibly pharmaceutical companies would enhance the lab's capabilities and accelerate the drug development process. Dr Rengasamy’s lab actively participates in various national and international research works.

    The development of drugs for these three categories—anti-mycobacterial, anti-malarial, and anti-diabetic—addresses significant global health challenges. It reflects our commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in regions heavily burdened by these diseases.

Recent Publications

  1. Integration of chemical characterization, biological activities, and network pharmacology of different extracts from Syzygium rowlandii. Kouadio Ibrahime Sinan, Stefania Sut, Gokhan Zengin, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba, Sathish Kumar M Ponniya, Kannan RR Rengasamy Journal of Molecular Structure 1299, 137117, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.137117

  2. Chemical constituents and antioxidant potential of African Fruits. Ahmed Olatunde, Olalekan Bukunmi Ogunro, Habibu Tijjani, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Mohammad S Mubarak, Kannan RR Rengasamy. South African Journal of Botany 166, 126-150, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2024.01.016

  3. Chemical features and biological functions of water-insoluble dietary fiber in plant-based foods. Meiling Tian, SolJu Pak, Chen Ma, Lingjun Ma, Kannan RR Rengasamy, Jianbo Xiao, Xiaosong Hu, Daotong Li, Fang Chen. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 64 (4), 928-942, https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2110565

  4. Phytofabricated bimetallic synthesis of silver-copper nanoparticles using Aerva lanata extract to evaluate their potential cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Gopishankar Thirumoorthy, Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian, Jincy A George, Aatika Nizam, Praveen Nagella, N Srinatha, Manikantan Pappuswamy, Amer M Alanazi, Arun Meyyazhagan, Kannan RR Rengasamy, Vasantha Veerappa Lakshmaiah. Scientific Reports 14 (1), 1270, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51647-x

  5. Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases in South Asians: Scrutinizing Traditional Risk Factors and Newly Recognized Risk Factors Sarcopenia and Osteopenia/Osteoporosis. Haripriya Kuchi Bhotla, Arun Meyyazhagan, Karthika Pushparaj, Manikantan Pappuswamy, Aditi Chaudhary, Vijaya Anand Arumugam, Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian, Durairaj Ragu Varman, Antonio Orlacchio, Kannan RR Rengasamy. Current Problems in Cardiology 49 (1), 102071, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102071