Ph.D. (Biochemistry), University of Madras, Chennai
M.Sc. (Biochemistry), University of Madras, Chennai
B.Sc. (Biochemistry), University of Madras, Chennai

1. Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship was awarded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, INDIA (2015-2019).

2. Young Scientist project awarded by Department of Science and Technology (DST), India under Fast Track Scheme (2015-2017).

3. Postdoctoral Research Associate awarded by University of Illinois at Chicago, USA (2011-2014).

4. Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA (2009-2011).

5. Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by The National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN (2007-2009).

6. University Research Fellowship awarded by University of Madras, Chennai, INDIA (2002- 2005).

The United States of America (USA) and Taiwan

Analysing the impact of environmental pollutants on the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases

Developing novel therapeutics

Identifying the role of small RNAs in respiratory disease pathogenesis.

1. D. Gandhi, S. Bhandari, S. Maity, S.K. Mahapatra, and S. Rajasekaran*. Activation of ERK/NF-kB pathways contributes to the inflammatory response in epithelial cells and macrophages following manganese exposure. Biological Trace Element Research, 2024; https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-024-04154-z. [IF: 3.9].

2. D. Gandhi, S. Bhandari, S. Mishra, A.P. Rudrashetti, U. Vetrivel, R.K. Thimmulappa, and S. Rajasekaran*. MicroRNA-221-3p exerts protective effects against manganese-induced cytotoxicity in human lung epithelial cells. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2024: 485; 116904. [IF: 3.8].

3. S. Mishra, N. Kalra, M. Botlagunta, and S. Rajasekaran*. MicroRNA-195-5p mediates arsenic-induced cytotoxicity in human lung epithelial cells: Beneficial role of plant-derived tannic acid. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2024: 482; 116775. [IF: 3.8].

4. R. Nandhine, D. Gandhi, A. Sivanantham, V. Ravikumar, D. Raj, S.G. Paramasivam, S. Mukhopadhyay, and S. Rajasekaran*. Dietary tannic acid attenuates elastase-induced pulmonary inflammation and emphysema in mice. Inflammopharmacology, 2024: 32; 747-761. [IF: 5.8].

5. Sekhal Mishra, Deepa Gandhi, Rajnarayan R. Tiwari, and S. Rajasekaran*. Effects of kaempferol and its derivatives from different dietary sources on respiratory diseases in experimental models. Inflammopharmacology, 2023: 31; 2311-2336. [IF: 5.8].

6. S. Rajasekaran*, Sekhal Mishra, and Deepa Gandhi. microRNA-16 represses TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. MicroRNA, 2022: 11(3); 206-215.

7. Deepa Gandhi, Sneha Bhandari, Sekhal Mishra, Rajnarayan R. Tiwari, and S. Rajasekaran*. Non-malignant respiratory illness associated with exposure to arsenic compounds in the environment. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2022: 94; 103922. [IF: 4.3].

8. Deepa Gandhi, A.P. Rudrashetti and S. Rajasekaran*. The impact of environmental and occupational exposures of manganese on pulmonary, hepatic, and renal functions. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2022: 42; 103-129. [IF: 3.3].

9. M. R. Venkateswaran, V. Tamil Elakkiya, J. Sasidharan, M. Selvakumar, S. Rajasekaran* and P. Sureshkumar. A review on network pharmacology based phytotherapy in treating diabetes-An environmental perspective. Environmental Research, 2021: 202; 111656. [IF: 8.3].

10. R. Nandhine, S. Ayyanar, K. Amrita, M. Sramana, M.K. Santanu, P. Sudhakar Gandhi and S. Rajasekaran*. Anti-asthmatic effects of tannic acid from Chinese natural gall nuts in a mouse model of allergic asthma. International Immunopharmacology, 2021: 98; 107847. [IF: 5.6].

11. R. Nandhine, S. Ayyanar, V. Ravikumar and S. Rajasekaran*. An overview on the role of plant-derived tannins for the treatment of lung cancer. Phytochemistry, 2021: 188; 112799. [IF: 3.8].

12. S. Rajasekaran*, R. Nandhine and S. Ayyanar. Therapeutic potential of plant-derived tannins in non-malignant respiratory diseases. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2021: 94; 108632. [IF: 5.6].

13. S. Rajasekaran* and Rajnarayan R Tiwari. The herbicide paraquat-induced molecular mechanisms in the development of acute lung injury and lung fibrosis. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2021: 51(1); 36-64. [IF: 5.9].

14. P. Krishna Murthy, K. Sivashanmugam, M. Kandasamy, R. Subbiah and V. Ravikumar. Repurposing of histone deacetylase inhibitors: a promising strategy to combat pulmonary fibrosis promoted by TGF- β signalling in COVID-19 survivors. Life Sciences, 2021: 266; 118883. [IF: 6.1].

15. R. Nandhine, S. Ayyanar, K. Amrita, Santanu K. Mahapatra, Rajesh Ahirwar, Rajesh K. Thimmulappa, P.S. Sudhakar Gandhi and S. Rajasekaran*. Tannic acid alleviates experimental pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting inflammatory response and fibrotic process. Inflammopharmacology, 2020: 28; 1301-1314. [IF: 5.8].

16. S. Ayyanar, P. Dhamotharan, R. Nandhine, K. Adithi, L. Lakshmanan, R. Bethunaickan, Santanu K. Mahapatra, P. Rajaguru, M. Karthikeyan, and S. Rajasekaran*. Tannic acid prevents macrophage-induced pro-fibrotic response in lung epithelial cells via suppressing TLR4-mediated macrophage polarization. Inflammation Research, 2019: 68; 1011-1024. [IF: 6.7].

17. S. Ayyanar, P. Dhamotharan, B. Ramalingam, K. Amrita, Santanu K. Mahapatra, Rajesh K. Thimmulappa, P. Rajaguru, and S. Rajasekaran*. Tannic acid protects against experimental acute lung injury through down-regulation of TLR4 and MAPK. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2019: 234; 6463-6476. [IF: 5.6]

18. P. Dhamotharan, S. Ayyanar, B. Ramalingam, P. Rajaguru, and S. Rajasekaran*. Tannic acid modulates fibroblast proliferation and differentiation in response to pro-fibrotic stimuli. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 2018: 119; 6732-6742. [IF: 4.0]

19. A. Chidambaram, S.H. Kavya, R.K. Chidambaram, S. Rajasekaran, J.M. Jayaraj, K. Muthusamy, and V. Ravikumar. Design, synthesis and characterization of α, β- unsaturated carboxylic acid and its urea based derivatives that explore novel epigenetic modulators in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2018: 233; 5293-5309. [IF: 5.6]

20. P. Dhamotharan, S. Ayyanar, K. Venkateshwaran, L. Lakshmanan, P. Rajaguru, N. Subramanian, M. Karthikeyan, and S. Rajasekaran*. Tannic acid attenuates TGF-β1- induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by effectively intervening TGF-β signaling in lung epithelial cells. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2018: 233; 2513-2525. [IF: 5.6]

21. P. Dhamotharan, R. Dheeran, S. Ayyanar, P. Rajaguru, and S. Rajasekaran*. C- phycocyanin suppresses transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition. Pharmacological Reports, 2017: 69(3); 426-431. [IF: 4.4]

22. A. Kalaiarasi, C. Anusha, R. Sankar, S. Rajasekaran, J. John Marshal, K. Muthusamy and V. Ravikumar. Plant isoquinoline alkaloid berberine exhibits chromatin remodeling by modulation of histone deacetylase to induce growth arrest and apoptosis in the A549 cell line. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2016: 64(50); 9542-9550. [IF: 6.1]

23. P. Dhamotharan, Rajesh K. Thimmulappa, V. Ravikumar, and S. Rajasekaran*. Diagnostic potential of extracellular microRNA in respiratory diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology, 2018: 54(3); 480-492. [IF: 9.1]

24. S. Rajasekaran*, P. Dhamotharan, P. Rajaguru, P.S. Sudhakar Gandhi and Rajesh K. Thimmulappa. MicroRNA regulation of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2016: 231(10); 2097-2106. [IF: 5.6]

25. S. Rajasekaran*, P. Rajaguru, and P.S. Sudhakar Gandhi. MicroRNAs as potential targets for progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2015: 6; 254. [IF: 5.6]

26. H.R. Potteti, S. Rajasekaran#, S.B. Rajamohan, C.R. Tamatam, N.M. Reddy, and S.P. Reddy. Sirtuin 1 promotes hyperoxia-induced lung epithelial death independent of Nrf2 activation. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 2016: 54(5); 697-706. (#equal first author). [IF: 6.4]

27. S. Rajasekaran, C.R. Tamatam, H.R. Potteti, V. Raman, J.W. Lee, M.A. Matthay, D. Mehta, N.M. Reddy and S.P. Reddy. Visualization of Fra-1/AP-1 activation during LPS- induced inflammatory lung injury using fluorescence optical imaging. The American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 2015: 309; L414- L424. [IF: 6.011]

28. M. Vaz, S. Rajasekaran, H.R. Potteti and S.P. Reddy. Myeloid-specific Fos-related antigen-1 regulates cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation, not emphysema, in mice. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 2015: 53(1); 125- 134. [IF: 6.4]

29. S. Rajasekaran, N.M. Reddy, Z. Wei and S.P. Reddy. Expression profiling of genes regulated by Fra-1/Ap-1 transcription factor during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. BMC Genomics, 2013: 14; 381. [IF: 4.4]

30. S. Rajasekaran, M. Vaz and S.P. Reddy. Fra-1/Ap-1 transcription factor negatively regulates pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. PLoS ONE, 2012: 7(7); e41611. [IF: 3.7]

31. M. Vaz, N.M. Reddy, S. Rajasekaran, S.P. Reddy. Genetic disruption of Fra-1 decreases susceptibility to endotoxin-induced acute lung injury and mortality in mice. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 2012: 46(1); 55-62. [IF: 6.4]

32. S. Rajasekaran, V.Y.Y. Kao, M.R. Chen, A.L.T. Yang, C.H. Hsu, C.T. Chen and Kurt M. Lin. Detection of experimentally induced pulmonary granuloma inflammation in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 reporter mice. Molecular Imaging and Biology, 2010: 12(2): 163-173. [IF: 3.1]

33. Kurt M. Lin, C.H. Hsu and S. Rajasekaran. Angiogenic evaluation of ginsenoside Rg1 from panax ginseng in fluorescent transgenic mice. Vascular Pharmacology, 2008: 49(1); 37-43. [IF: 4.0]

34. S. Rajasekaran*, N. Sriram, P. Arulselvan and S. Subramanian. Effects of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on membrane bound phosphatases and lysosomal hydrolases in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Pharmazie, 2007: 62(3); 221-225. [IF: 1.515]

35. S. Rajasekaran* and D. Sathishsekar. Therapeutic evaluation of aloe vera leaf gel extract on glycoprotein components in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2007: 2(4); 380-385.

36. D. Sathishsekar and S. Rajasekaran. Protective role of momordica charanda seeds extract on membrane bound ATPases and lysosomal hydrolases in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Journal of Plant Sciences, 2007: 2(3); 293-301.

37. S. Rajasekaran, K. Ravi, K. Sivagnanam and S. Subramanian. Beneficial effects of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on lipid profile status in rats with streptozotocin diabetes. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2006: 33(3); 232-237. [IF: 2.9]

38. S. Rajasekaran, K. Sivagnanam and S. Subramanian. Mineral contents of Aloe vera leaf gel and their role on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biological Trace Element Research, 2005: 108(1-3); 185-195. [IF: 3.9]

39. S. Rajasekaran, K. Sivagnanam and S. Subramanian. Antioxidant effect of Aloe vera gel extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Pharmacological Reports, 2005: 57(1); 90-96. [IF: 4.4]

40. S. Rajasekaran, K. Sivagnanam and S. Subramanian. Modulatory effects of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on oxidative stress in rats treated with streptozotocin. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2005: 57(2); 241-246. [IF: 3.3]

41. K. Ravi, S. Rajasekaran and S. Subramanian. Antihyperlipidemic effect of Eugenia jambolana seed kernal on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2005: 43(9); 1433-1439. [IF: 4.3]

42. S. Rajasekaran, K. Sivagnanam, K. Ravi and S. Subramanian. Hypoglycemic effect of Aloe vera gel in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in experimental rats. Journal of Medicinal Food, 2004: 7(1); 61-66. [IF: 2.4]

43. K. Ravi, S. Rajasekaran and S. Subramanian. Hypoglycemic effect of Eugenia jambolana seed kernels on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Pharmaceutical Biology, 2003: 41(8); 598-603. [IF: 3.8]

44. K. Sivagnanam, S. Rajasekaran, V. Narayanan, and Subramanian. Biochemical evaluation of the ulcer curative effect of Aloe vera on experimental rats. Journal of natural remedies, 2003: 3(2); 161-165.

(*Senior corresponding author)

Book/Book Chapters

1. Rajesh K. Thimmulappa, Indranil Chattopadhyay, and Subbiah Rajasekaran. Oxidative Stress Mechanisms in the Pathogenesis of Environmental Lung Diseases. In: Oxidative Stress in Lung Diseases, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., 2020: 2; 103-137.