Dr. Manju L.

Dr. Manju L. has fifteen years of teaching and research experience and holds an M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. Her research focuses on natural products, molecular biology, and therapeutic applications, particularly cancer biology, cardioprotection, nephroprotection, and nanobiotechnology, with publications in journals from SAGE, Taylor & Francis, and MDPI. Her work has explored epithelial–mesenchymal transition in breast cancer, cisplatin- and gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress in cardiac physiology.

Dr. Manju has presented at several international and national conferences on cardiovascular biochemistry, phytochemical interventions in cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, and has delivered invited talks on lifestyle and cardiovascular disease. Her interdisciplinary approach spans biochemistry, molecular pharmacology, and cell biology.

Research and Publications

• Sabu N, Ramachandran R, Sobitham RC, Chenicheri S, Nair SS, Sulaiman SA, *Manju L. Simvastatin mediated suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2026:1-10. doi:10.1177/0976500X261461099.
• Manju L, Ambili S, Rejiya CS, Vishnu SL, Radhika A, *Rajesh R. Aerva lanata extract restores cellular viability and mitochondrial function against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity on human embryonic kidney cells. Plant Sci Today. 2025;12(sp1):1-9. doi:10.14719/pst.9955.
• Manju L, Ambili S, Vishnu SL, Radhika A, *Rajesh R. Spilanthes acmella extract alleviates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA damage in human embryonic kidney cells. Plant Sci Today. 2025;12(3):1-8. doi:10.14719/pst.6413.
• Rajesh R, Ambili S, Vishnu Sasidharan L, Radhika A, *Manju L. Rosmarinic acid from Mentha arvensis L attenuates angiotensin II-induced cell death, cellular senescence and mitochondrial depolarization in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Plant Sci Today. 2025;12(2):1-7. doi:10.14719/pst.3617
• Sobitham RC, Ramachandran R, Lathakumari VS, Gopalakrishnan G, Abraham A, *Lekshmy M. Desmodium triflorum mitigates palmitate-induced mTOR activation and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. EC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2025;13(9):1-15.
• Manju Lekshmy, *Rejiya Chellappan Sobitham. Morin Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity in H9c2 Cardiomyoblast Cells, Chetana: An Ivanian Journal for Scientific Research (2025) 1 : 6-11.
• Krishnan A, Ramachandran R, Rajalekshmi DC, *Lekshmy M. Carotenoid pigment from Micrococcus luteus confers neuroprotection in a cellular model of Parkinson’s disease via BDNF upregulation and oxidative stress reduction. Asian J Pharm Health Sci. 2025;15(2):3061-3072. doi:10.5530/ajphs.2025.15.78.
• Archana Oscar, Rajesh Ramachandran, Manju L. Neuro inflammatory effect of exogenous TNF-α on lipopolysaccharide-activated neuroblastoma cell lines. The Multidisciplinary Edge: Advancing Academic Research & Development. Multi Spectrum Publications; 2025. p. 37-44. ISBN: 978-81-987501-3-6. (Book Chapter)
• Manju L, Dhanya CR, Smrithi JS, Sindhurani JA, Vandanamthadathil JJ, Veettil JT, Anila L, Lathakumari VS, Nayar AM, *Madhavan M. Peptide vaccines as therapeutic and prophylactic agents for female-specific cancers: the current landscape. Pharmaceuticals. 2023;16(7):1054. doi:10.3390/ph16071054.
• Lekshmy M, Nair R, Lathakumari VS, Sarassamma J, *Sobitham RC. Exploring the electrophysiological consequences of reactive oxygen species on rat papillary muscle: insights into calcium channels and high-energy phosphates. J Adv Zool. 2023;44(S5):2250-2257. doi:10.53555/jaz.v44iS5.3864.
• Savithri A, Rani SJA, Kumar AS, Anila L, Madhavan M, Mustafa S, *Manju L. Domain analysis and structural characterization of Bromodomain 8 (BRD8) – Functional implications and importance as a drug target in cancer research. Biological Forum – An International Journal. 2023;15(5a):39-51.
• Manju L, Rejiya CS. Advances in nanotechnology for nutraceutical delivery. Research Innovations in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics. Infinity Indica Publishers; [2022]. p. 58-64. ISBN: 978-9391923013. (Book Chapter)
• Manju L, *Nair RR. Magnesium deficiency augments myocardial response to reactive oxygen species. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006;84(6):617-624. doi:10.1139/Y06-017.
• Manju L, *Renuka Nair R. Reduction of perifusate magnesium alters inotropic response of papillary muscle to ion channel modulators. Magnes Res. 2005 Sep;18(3):163-169. PMID: 16259376.
• Manju L, Remani K, *Renuka Nair R. Negative inotropic response to cerium in ventricular papillary muscle is mediated by reactive oxygen species. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2003;96(1-3):203-208. doi:10.1385/BTER:96:1-3:203.
• Manju L, *Renuka Nair R. Marginal magnesium deficiency augments negative inotropic response to cerium in rat papillary muscle, Proceedings of Fifteenth Kerala Science Congress, 29-31 January 2003, Thiruvananthapuram pp. 283-87.

International / National / State-Level Seminars & Workshops Attended / Organized / Presented

Papers presented in international seminars

• “Artemisia pallens Derived Phytochemicals Mitigates UV Induced Cellular Senescence and Gennomic DNA damage in Melanoma Cells”. 1st International Conference on Agroclimatology, Health Biotechnology Interventions in Global Prosperity and Herbal Medicines – 2026 (IC-AHBGPHM-2026), Organised by Rajagiri College of Social Sciences and KSCSTE.
• “Study on the Biocontrol Efficiency of Microencapsulated Trichoderma viride Spore”. International Conference on Advanced Innovation in Science Engineering & Technology -2019, Organised by Sree Ayyappa College Eramallikkara, Chengannur and TECHOWN Research and Publication.
• “Biochemical and Functional Response of Myocardium to Superoxide Anions and Magnesium Deficiency”. Fourth International Seminar of SVASH 2018, Organised by Swami Vivekanada Association of Science and Humanities.
• “Inotropic Response of Adult Cardiomyocytes to Hydrogen Peroxide and Role of Calcium Channels”. International Seminar on Recent Biochemical Approaches in Therapeutics (RBAT – V) 2018, Organised by Department of Biochemistry, university of Kerala, thiruvanathapuram.
• “Inotropic Response of Adult Cadiomyocytes to Reactive Oxygen Species”. International Conference on Advances in Degenerative Diseases and Molecular Interventions (ADDMI) November 23-24th 2017, Organised by Society for Research on Degenerative Diseases (SODD) in Association with Center for Molecular Biology and Applied Science.

Papers presented in national seminars

• “In vitro Neuroprotective Effect of Quercetin in β-amyloid Induced Alzheimers Disease in SH-SY 5L Cells”. National Seminar on Recent Biochemical Approaches in Therapeutics (RBAT – V) 2019, Organised by Department of Biochemistry, university of Kerala, thiruvanathapuram.
• “Study on the Hepatoprotective Effect of Pseudarthria Viscida on Oxidative Stress Induced by Aicohol in Human Liver Cells”. INFOFEST - 2018, Organised by Sree Ayyappa College Eramallikkara, Chengannur, Alappuzha.
• “Inotropic Response of Adult Cardiomyocytes to Cerium”. National Seminar on Recent Biochemical Approaches in Therapeutics (RBAT – V) 2017, Organised by Department of Biochemistry, university of Kerala, thiruvanathapuram.
• “Comparative Evaluation of the Contractile Response of Papillary Muscle to Superoxide Anion and Hydrogen Peroxide”. National Seminar on Recent Innovations and Current Trends in Biological Sciences, 8-10th February 2017, Organised by Post Graduate Department of Botany and Biotechnology, Bishop Moor College, Mavelikkara.

Invited Talk

• “How to Conquer Lifestyle Diseases: With Special Emphasis to Cardiovascular Diseases”. State Level Seminar on Lifestyle Diseases in Modern Era: A Major Threat to Kerala Population, 21st December 2017, Organised by Department of Biochemistry and Industrial Microbiology, Sree Ayyappa College Eramallikkara, Chengannur, Alappuzha.