The Department of Pharmacology, is committed to achieve and strive for excellence in teaching and research. The faculty members of the department are actively engaged in teaching for D. Pharm, B. Pharm, M. Pharm and Pharm. D students. A part from didactic lectures, teaching also involves interactive modules in pharmacy, simulation exercises in experimental pharmacology, tutorials, group discussions on clinical oriented problems, drug display and seminars related to pharmacology.

The experimental and research laboratories including CCSEA approved animal house is equipped with the latest instruments that provide a wonderful arena for research-oriented students as well as faculty members. Beside facilities for isolated tissues and in-vivo experiments, the five-pharmacology labs have premier instruments for several drug evaluation procedures. The research lab has some of the sophisticated, state of art instruments, mainly acquired through grants secured from funding agencies by faculty. The department have more than 100 publications by the faculties. Our department pursues a multifaceted mission of training and excellence in the field of medical education and research.

Core values

• Strive for excellence in teaching, research and innovation
• Trust in teamwork, morality, autonomy, and fair-mindedness
• Work with ethics, commitment and accountability, and professionalism
• Perform duties with student centric attitude and mutual respect

Goals

The Department’s goals are to:

• Educate pharmacy students about the drug and its safety
• Encourage graduate students to become independent researchers in pharmacology and related fields
• Undertake innovative research
• Provide information and advice about existing and emerging drugs and toxic chemicals to the institute and public
• Provide training to the staff and external community in the field of pharmacology and toxicology
• Provide academic and administrative support to Al Shifa College of Pharmacy

Strength

Our department is equipped with both expertise and facilities to conduct in vitro, in vivo, and enzymatic studies for:

• Toxicity studies – Acute, Sub acute and Chronic toxicity studies
• Anticancer activity
• Antidiabetic activity
• Provide information and advice about existing and emerging drugs and toxic chemicals to the institute and public
• Hepatoprotective activity
• Diuretic activity
• Antihyperlipidemic activity
• Analgesic, Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity
• CNS activities – Antidepressant, CNS stimulant and depressant activity
• Behavioral effects of drugs in few models
• Antiepileptic activity
• Nootropic activity

Milestones

Over the years, Department of Pharmacology has contributed significantly to the academic and research domain of Al Shifa College of Pharmacy. It has actively engaged in teaching of diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy students of the institution. To name a few:

• 2002 : Establishment of Department of Pharmacology
• 2006 : Undergraduate research projects in pharmacology topics
• 2007 : Establishment of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee with CPCSEA approval
• 2015 : Conducted a national level workshop
• 2016- Mr. Abdul Rasheed A.R presented Poster at the prestigious APTI-RAKMHSU International Convention held in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE in 2016
• 2017 : Secured an AICTE seminar grant of Rs. 1,00,000
• 2019 : Secured a grant of Rs. 11,06,667 from AICTE-MODROB scheme
• 2020 : Published a text book on Pharmacology by the department staff
• 2021 : Conducted first add on course by the department, Conducted a short-term training programme by the department
• 2022 : Obtained consent from KUHS to commence M. Pharm (Pharmacology), First patent publication by the department staff, Organised a national level seminar, Conducted industrial visits as part of Pharmacology Practice School
• 2023- Ms Krishnapriya Anil delivered a guest lecture for continuous pharmacy education programme organized by Kerala state pharmacy council.
• 2023- Mr. Suhail PT Awarded, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION GRANT (RIG), from Scientific Research Committee (SRC) of Al Shifa College of Pharmacy on 13.10.2023.
• 2023 Organised 5 Days FDP on “Empowering educators: Instruction and evaluation methodologies”: November 21- 25.
• 2023- Mr. Abdul Rasheed A.R Received publication incentives of Rs. 16,000/- for various research, review article and patent publications in 2023 from the management of Al Shifa College of Pharmacy, Kerala
• 2024- Mr. Abdul Rasheed AR won 2 Best Oral Presentation Awards (2008, 2016) and 3 Best Poster Presentation Awards (2017, 2022, 2024) at various national conferences
• 2024- Dr. A.Thanga Thirupathi Serving as PCI Inspector appointed by PHARMACY COUNCIL OF INDIA in a new batch from 2024 onwards.

Description and photos

• Various Equipment
• Organized events

• M.Pharm Pharmacology

• Toxicity studies – Acute, Sub acute and Chronic toxicity studies
• Anticancer activity
• Antidiabetic activity
• Hepatoprotective activity
• Diuretic activity
• Antihyperlipidemic activity
• Analgesic, Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity
• CNS activities – Antidepressant, CNS stimulant and depressant activity
• Behavioral effects of drugs in few models
• Antiepileptic activity
• Nootropic activity

Patents

Sl. No.	CC	Patent Title	Patent Application Number	Date of Filling	Granted On	Patent Number
1	IN	Method of Treating a Subject Suffering From Vulvodynia Using Fetal Skin Cell Protein Composition	202241064413 A	11/11/2022	Published on 18/11/2022	–
2	IN	Stimulation of Immune System for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Oral Cancer Using Emblica Officinalis and Tinospora Cordifolia	202221068892 A	30/11/2022	Published on 09/12/2022	–
3	IN	A Method of Preventing or Delaying the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders	202341000215 A	03/01/2023	Published on 13/01/2023	–
4	ZA	A Composition and Method for Preparing Glipizide Matrix Tablet and Evaluating Efficiency of Plastic Polymer	2023/02243	22/02/2023	31/05/2023	2023/02243
5	GB	Instrument Used for Detection of Alzheimer’s Disorder	6288045	05/06/2023	15/06/2023	6288045
6	IN	Formulation Development and Characterization of Nano-Suspension Containing Ginkgo Biloba L. Extract for the Management of Alzheimer Disease	202341064161 A	25/09/2023	Published on 13/10/2023	–
7	IN	Physical and Mental Effects of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption on the Age of Onset in Alzheimer’s Disease	202341071139 A	18/10/2023	Published on 24/11/2023	–
8	IN	Direct Evaluation and Visualisation of Glutathione, Cysteine, and Homocysteine in Model Tissues for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.	202341076701 A	09/11/2023	Published on 22/12/2023	–
6		A Process to Prepare Effervescent Tablets on Famotidine and Their Composition for the Same	2023/02246	22/02/2023	31/05/2023	2023/02246
8		Laboratory Iot Based Water Maze Apparatus for Monitoring Neurotoxic Activity	392426-001	10/08/2023	209992	–
8		Portable Device Used for Monitoring Fetus Heart Rate	398704-001	2810/23	23/11/23	398704-001
9		Portable Device Used for Measuring Cystic Fibrosis Through Saliva	6308140	06/09/23	13/09/23	6308140
10		Smart and Portable Device for Measurement of Cardiac Arrythmia	6347619	19.02.2024	03.05.2024	–
11	GB	Artificial intelligence enabled device to predict the alzheimer’s disease	6323559	03/11/2023	14/11/2023	6323559

 

Publications

• Anil K, Jose SP, Das S, Abdul Vahab A. Co-delivery of a curcumin and asafoetida as a bioavailable complex using fenugreek galactomannan hydrogel scaffold alleviates inflammatory bowel disease on experimental animals. Pharmacological Research – Natural Products. 2024;4(100071):100071.
• Abdul Rasheed A R, K. Sowmiya, Sufia Naseem, Suraj Mandal, Surya Pratap Singh, Habibullah Khallullah, Nageswar Panda, Dr. Keshamma. E. In Silico Anxiolytic Activity Against Gaba, Dopamine D2, Dopamine D3, And
  Serotonin Receptors. In Community Practitioner 2024;21(4):1322-1337.
• Sadishkumar S, Vimal Kumar S, Mohith SN, Prathiba R, Abilash S, Mahesh AR. In Silico investigation of chemical components of Fragaria ananassa species as
  aphrodisiac agents for erectile dysfunction. . Research J Pharm and Tech. 2024, 17(7): 3315-19.
• Shibla Nasrin, Vivek D., Shahin Muhammed T K, Mridula K, Nayanthara K.B. Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway- A promising therapeutic pathway for diseases: A Review. IJPRT. 2023 Sep. 26;14(1):9-18.
• Nayanthara KB, Vivek D, Shahin Muhammed TK, Mridula K, Shibla Nasrin. Pim kinase: A saviour to cast out carcinoma. Indo Am J Pharm Res. 2023. 26;13.
• Mridula K, Vivek D, Shahin Muhammed TK, Nayanthara KB, Shibla Nasrin. An overview of inflammation: pathways gene therapy. IJPRT. 2023 Jun. 7;13(1):88-100.
• Konda V V S Krishna, Abdul Rasheed A R, Venkataramana I, Priyanka A, Sunil Kumar, Kishor B Charhate, Prafulla R Tathe Anuj Malik. Assessment of polyherbal formulation for nootropic potential. European Chemical Bulletin.2023;12(9):1278-1290.
• Konda V V S Krishna, Abdul Rasheed A R, Venkataramana I, Priyanka A, Sunil Kumar, Kishor B Charhate, Prafulla R Tathe Anuj Malik. Assessment of polyherbal formulation for nootropic potential. European Chemical Bulletin. 2023;12(9):1278-1290.
• Smitha Rani, Suhail PT, Hannaha KA, Jinsha P, Mohammed Naseef, Habil Ashraf et.al. Quality parameters of polyherbal formulation of three different marketed brands of vilwadi gutika: a comparative evaluation study. International Journal of Research and Review. 2023; 10(12): 366-371.
• Suhail P, Christapher PV, Joseph S, Prasanth NV, Nishida M, Anju T, Rani S. Comparative evaluation of anti-obesity effect through pancreatic lipase inhibition of methanolic extract of the bark of Saraca asoca and Cynometra travancorica. J.Res.Pharm. 2023; 27(6): 2463-2470.
• Suhail PT, Bency Baby T, R Murali, T.N.K. Suriyaprakash, V.V Venkatachalam, S.Vigil Anbiah, Srinivasan N. Unveiling the anti-obesity properties of Vitex negundo leaf extract: insights into pancreatic lipase inhibition and metabolic changes in obesity. 2023;42(3): 653-665.
• Asheena Asharaf VV,Venkatesh Sellamuthu, Sreelakshmi SS. Hepatoprotective Activity of whole plant of Hemigraphis colorata against Paracetamol induced liver toxicity in Wistar albino rats. Indian Journal of Natural Sciences.2023;14(81):64511-64523.
• Vimal John Samuel, Agasa Ramu Mahesh, Sagar Panagante. In silico investigation of mode of action of certain isolated compounds of Tephrosia species as antihyperlipidemic agents. Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences. 2023, 12 (6):151-60.
• Balasubramanian T, Lina Elizabeth Cherian, Mumthas A H, Jisna Jamal, Murshid C P, Anandhi B, Balan P, Abdul Rasheed A R Karthikeyan M. Demographic profile and management strategies of treatment resistant schizophrenia in a tertiary care referral hospital. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. 2022;11(2):37-48.
• Balasubramanian T, Lina Elizabeth Cherian, Mumthas A H, Murshid C P, Jisna Jamal, Anandhi B, Abdul Rasheed A R, Balan P Karthikeyan M. Demographic analysis management strategies for treatment resistant depression: A prospective observational study. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2022;6(S3):222-232.
• Balakumar P, Handa S, Alqahtani A, Alqahtani T, Khan NA, LakshmiRaj RS, et al. Unraveling the Differentially Articulated Axes of the Century-Old Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System: Potential Therapeutic Implications. Cardiovasc Toxicol. 2022 Mar;22(3):246-53.
• Balasubramanian T, Shabik Bin Rasheed, Shadia Badarudeen, Shahanas M K, Shaheer K, Anandhi B, Abdul Rasheed A R, Suhail P T Karthikeyan M. Assessment of prescribing pattern and factors associated with clinical outcomes in type-2 diabetes patients in a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Life Science and Pharma Research. 2022;12(6),170-179.
• Balakumar P, Alqahtani T, Alqahtani A, Lakshmiraj RS, Singh G, Rupeshkumar M, et al. A Unifying Perspective in Blunting the Limited Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin: A Succinct Look. CDM. 2022 Sep;23(11):897-904.
• Pitchai Balakumar'”, Taha Alqahtani, Ali Alqahtani, R. Sulochana Lakshmiraj’, Gurfateh Singh, Mani Rupeshkumar, A. Thangathirupathi and Karupiah Sundram. A Unifying Perspective in Blunting the Limited Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin: A Succinct Look. Current Drug Metabolism, 2022, 23, 897-904
• Suhail P.T, Sheron Joseph, Ajeesh V, Sreelakshmi S.S, Krishnapriya Anil. Antiestrogenic and toxicological evaluation of methanolic extract of Saraca asoca and Cynometra travancorica. Journal of Research in Pharmacy. 2022; 26(5):1261-1271.
• Vimal John Samuel, V. Murugan, A. R. Mahesh. Antihyperlipidemic effect of Tephrosia villosa in acute and chronic hyperlipidemia rat models. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences: Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences. 2021, 11 (2): e4222.
• Balakumar P, Alqahtani A, Mahadevan N, Khan NA, Thangathirupathi A, Sambathkumar R, Dhanaraj SA. The potential modulatory role of curcumin on renal epithelial-tomesenchymal transition in renal diseases. Pharmacol Res. 2021 Jul; 169:105646.
• Vimal John Samuel, Rashmi DV Mahesh AR. Antidiabetic activity of Tephrosia tinctoria in Alloxan induced Diabetic Rats: A Preliminary Study. Research J Pharm and Tech. 2021, 14 (7): 3728-3733.
• Bincy Raj, Sheena Merin Thomas, Suma Varghese, M. Gnana Ruba Priya, Soosamma John, Prudhivi Ramakrishna Abdul Rasheed A R. A mini-review on molecular docking studies and pharmacological activities of Stevia rebaudiana. Asian Journal of Chemistry. 2021;33(12),2919-2923.
• Bincy Raj, M. Gnana Ruba Priya, Anita A, Abdul Rasheed A R, Soosamma John, Suma Varghese, Sheena Marin Thomas. An ethnomedical review on Karkidaka Kanji and Dashapushpa Churna. International Journal of Engineering Technology Research Management. 2021;5(7):157-164.
• Vimal John Samuel, V. Murugan, A. R. Mahesh. Effect of Tephrosia tinctoria in Triton WR-1339 and High Cholesterol-Diet Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2021, 13(02): 3221-3235.
• Bincy Raj, Soosamma John, Abdul Rasheed A R. Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical screening of Ampelocissus indica including antioxidant activity. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2020;12(2):80-82.
• Agasa Ramu Mahesh, Vimal John Samuel, Sourav Bag, Pavan Kalyan. E-Pharmacies: An emerging market in Indian retail pharmacy, An Indian Perspective. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2020, 8: 1-6.
• Sivakami Sundari P, Shanaz Banu, Vimal John Samuel, Dhanashree N. Phenolic content and antidiarrhoeal activity of hydro alcoholic Gauzuma ulmifolia seed extract. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences. 2019, 10 (2): 1-5.
• Roshini KV, Thirumalaisamy B, Suhail PT. Wound Healing and Medicinal Plants: A Systematic Review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences. 2019;9(2).
• Suhail PT. Comparative evaluation of antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Saraca asoca and it’s commonly used substitute plants. International Journal of Research and Review. 2019; 6(11):37-43.
• Vimal John Samuel, Komal Kulkarni, A. R. Mahesh. Drug utilization pattern of cephalosporins in In-patient departments of tertiary care hospital. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2019, 11(6): 2398-2401.
• Venkatesh S, Sreelakshmi SS. Anti-Snake Venom Activity of the Leaves and Stem Bark Extract of Alstonia Venenata R.Br. By In Vitro and In Vivo Methods in Swiss Albino Mice. EAS Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.2019;1(6):153-159.
• Venkatesh S, Shinju V, Sreelakshmi SS. In-vitro and In-vivo evaluation of anti-snake venom activity of leaves of Ampelocissus indica linn. Planch. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.2019;9(1):999-1010.
• Sreelakshmi SS, Venkatesh S.A Review on Phyto-pharmacological Profile of Alstonia venenata R.Br. American Journal of Pharmtech Research.2019;9(2):64-73.
• Suhail P.T, T.Balasubramanian, Ms Roshini K V, Krishnapriya Anil. A comparative evaluation study of anti-inflammatory activity of Saraca asoca and its commonly used substitute plants. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences.2019:9(4):2145-2151.
• Vimal John Samuel, A. R. Mahesh. In-vitro antioxidant properties, acute and subacute toxicity studies of Tephrosia calophylla on albino Wistar rats. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2019, 10(6):1000-1007.
• Vimal John Samuel, V. Murugan, A. R. Mahesh. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Tephrosia genus: a brief review. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2019, 9(3): 117-125.
• Vimal John Samuel, P. Pradeep Kumar. Evaluation of antiulcer and antioxidant activity of Tephrosia calophylla by using Wistar albino rats. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences. 2018, 9(3): 213-220.

One- Day Workshop On “handling Of Laboratory Animals And Instruments Used In Experimental Pharmacology”

• Academic year & Month : 2024, August.
• Programme driven by : Department of Pharmacology
• Programme type : ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
• Date & duration : 14/08/2024. 10.00 A.M to 4.00 P.M.

A one-day workshop was conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at Al Shifa College of Pharmacy on August 14, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the topic “HANDLING OF LABORATORY ANIMALS AND INSTRUMENTS USED IN EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY.” The welcome address was given by Dr. S. Vimal Kumar, Professor & Head, Department of Pharmacology. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Dilip C. Principal, Al Shifa College of Pharmacy.After the inaugural session, the first topic was covered by Dr. A. Thanga Thirupathi, who spoke on “Overview of OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals.”

The second session was conducted by Dr. S. Vimal Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology, on the topic “Common Laboratory Techniques and Ethical Standards in Animal Research: A Review of CCSEA Guidelines and Best Practices.” The afternoon session was led by Mr. A.R.Abdul Rasheed, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, on the topic “Introduction to Experimental Animal Models: Ethical Considerations and Routes of Administration.”

The first demonstration was given by Mr. Suhail P.T., Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, on “Commonly Used Instruments in Experimental Pharmacology.” The second demonstration was handled by Dr. A. Thanga Thirupathi.

Report Of Industrial Visit

Department of Pharmacology organized an Industrial Visit with the students of Practice school (Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice) at chennai on 02/03/2024 to 05/03/2024. Along with the students 04 staffs of Pharmacology department were accompanied. On (05/03/2024) proceeded for industrial visit at 9.30 am. First visited Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research,Chennai. We were introduced to Dr.Gayathri,Head,CEFTE (Centre for Toxicology and Developmental Research). And visited pathology,biochemistry and toxicology laboratories and animal house. In animal house they showed quarantine areas,different species of animal mainly wistar albino,sprague dawley,albino mice,balb mice,guinea pig, Newzealand white rabbit,small animal surgery rrom,anaesthesia chamber,neurological screening laboratory,concept of dirty and clean corridor and demonstrated how to identify male and female animals of all the above mentioned species.On the next day visited the clinical trial facilities and Bio Analytical Laboratory of Scitus Pharma Services private limited. We had introduced to volunteer recruitment process,medical checkup facility,volunteer registration process,volunteer housing facility,QC department and QA process. Mr.Mahesh, Clinical head coordinated the visit.

Dr.S.Vimal Kumar and Mrs.Surya Raju expressed their thanks and gratitude on behalf of the visiting members and Alshifa College of Pharmacy for providing an excellent opportunity to visit their facilities.

Industrial Visit- March 2024

World Health Day 2024

One Day Workshop On Handling Of Laboratory Animals And Instruments Used In Experimental Pharmacology

Guest lecture: POST TRAUMATIC EPILEPSY

Industrial and lab visit as part of Pharmacology practice school