Institute: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, NTU, Singapore. Thesis Title: “Synthesis and anticancer activity of phenylpropanoid sucrose esters”. Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Zaher Judeh Description: My research work focuses on the synthesis, characterization and antiproliferative activities of natural and unnatural phenylpropanoid sucrose esters (PSEs). I have successfully accomplished the first total synthesis of four natural PSEs namely helonioside A, lapathoside C, lapathoside D and 3',4',6'-tri-O-feruloylsucrose, together with 40 unnatural PSEs starting from sucrose as cheap and sustainable material. The newly synthesized compounds were thoroughly characterized by different 1-D and 2-D NMR spectroscopy (Proton, Carbon, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC), ESI-MS, HR-ESI-MS, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The selected synthesized PSEs were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against cancerous cells such as human cervical epithelioid carcinoma cells (HeLa) and normal cells such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using MTS assay method. The preliminary MTS screening results indicated that nearly 22 out of the 31 screened synthetic PSEs showed significant antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells but have less cytotoxic effect on HUVEC cells. The result suggests that the PSEs may serve as a potentially valuable source of new potent anticancer drug candidates.
Master of Pharmacy: July, 2004-June, 2006 Institute: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, India. Percentage of Marks/Division: 76.65% (First Class) Thesis Title: “Structural finding of synthesized 1,5'-N,N'-disubstituted- 2-(substituted) benzenesulphonyl) glutamamide analogues as possible antitumor agents through biological evaluation and QSAR Study” Advisor: Prof. Tarun Jha Description: Glutamine plays an important role in supporting tumor cell growth and metabolism as glutamine provides its nitrogen& carbon skeleton in the biosynthesis of other amino acids, purine and pyrimidine bases etc as well as used as principal respiratory substrate. It was suggested that tumor can become a “glutamine trap,” further enhancing systemic glutamine loss. On the basis of this rationale, thirty-two1,5'-N,N'-disubstituted-2-(substituted) benzenesulphonyl) glutamamide analogues have been synthesized, characterized and biologically evaluated against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell. All these compounds have been synthesized through a simple and straightforward route. QSAR study has been performed to find out the chemical structural features and molecular properties of these compounds required/or responsible for antitumor activity. It may help to design to get a useful “lead” in future.
Bachelor of Pharmacy : July, 2000-June, 2004 Institute: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, India. Percentage of Marks/Division: 75.28% (First Class with Honours) Project Title: “Study of phytochemicals like flavonoids in different diseases” Advisor: Prof. Upal Kanti Majumdar Description: This project focuses on classification and different sources of phytochemicals like flavonoids and their applications in different diseases such as antioxidants, anticancer, antihypertensive etc.