Dr. Kumarappan Chidambaram works as an assistant professor in the department of pharmacology and toxicology at
King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia. He is registered as Pharmacist and obtained his PhD in Endocrine Pharmacology
at the University of Jadavpur at Kolkata in 2008. Dr Kumar is involved in the teaching of teaching basic and clinical
pharmacology for Medical (MBBS Program, KKU, College of Medicine), Pharmacy and other allied medical students
within the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. He utilizes active learning techniques, such as Team-Based
Learning, Case-Based, and Problem-Based Learning, to enhance the understanding of pharmacology within clinical
contexts. He is a member of American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), American Association for Laboratory
Animal Science (AALAS), International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE) and Quality Assurance Committee of
KKU. Dr Kumar has participated in and developed a pharmacology curriculum in medicine and pharmacy at und
EDUCATION
PhD in Pharmacology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Diabetes Research and Drug Discovery: Investigation of the pharmacological effects
(on cardio-metabolic disorders) of natural products via a set of in vitro assays and mechanistic studies
on the potent compounds or extracts using appropriate animal models.
141
Scopus Publications
5068
Scholar Citations
38
Scholar h-index
99
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Machine learning-driven drug repurposing for HER2-positive breast cancer Basavana Gowda Hosur Dinesh, Srinivas Ganjipete, Bandral Sunil Kumar, Damodar Nayak Ammunje, Selvaraj Kunjiappan, Prabu Kumar Seetharaman, Mohankumar Ramar, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Parasuraman Pavadai Scientific Reports, 2026 Breast cancer, particularly the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive subtype, remains a significant clinical challenge due to its aggressive nature and the frequent development of resistance to targeted therapy. In this study, we created a comprehensive machine-learning (ML)-based drug repurposing framework to identify new HER2 inhibitors among FDA-approved drugs. A carefully curated dataset of 13,944 HER2 bioactivity records from BindingDB was used to build high-accuracy predictive models. This involved optimizing descriptors, reducing dimensionality, and selecting key features. The Random Forest model trained on 75 optimized descriptors demonstrated the best performance (R² = 0.81, RMSE = 0.86, MAE = 0.6483). This allowed us to understand structure-activity relationships and perform reliable virtual screening of 4,099 FDA-approved drugs. Docking studies against HER2 wild-type (7PCD) revealed strong interactions, with scores from -10.5 to -7.5 kcal/mol. For the exon-20 insertion mutant (8U8X), the affinities were even higher (-11.6 to -8.0 kcal/mol), exceeding the reference co-crystal ligand in both cases. FDA0870 (Timolol maleate) consistently ranked as a top dual inhibitor, forming stable hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts with key catalytic residues of both wild-type and mutant HER2. Molecular dynamics simulations supported its stability, with wild-type HER2-FDA0870 complexes showing an average protein RMSD of 3.4 Å and a ligand RMSD of 2.9 Å, whereas mutant complexes had an average protein RMSD of 3.9 Å and a ligand RMSD of 2.1 Å over extended trajectories. Persistent interactions with residues such as ASP863/ASP867, THR862/THR866, and LYS753 were observed. ADMET analysis indicated that the drug had good drug-like properties, moderate permeability, a high unbound fraction, and acceptable safety features, suggesting its potential for further development. This integrated ML, docking, MD, and ADMET approach demonstrates that FDA0870 is a promising repurposed dual inhibitor for HER2-positive and HER2-mutant breast cancer, highlighting the value of computational pipelines in speeding up the search for targeted cancer therapies.
Integrated molecular modelling and eriodictyol SLNs from Ocimum tenuiflorum: A promising anti-breast cancer therapeutic with enhanced drug delivery Salem Salman Almujri, Prasanalakshmi Balaji, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Srinivasan Ramamurthy, Malarkodi Velraj, Swati Mayur Keny, A. Santhana Krishna Kumar, Panneerselvam Theivendren Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, 2026 In this work, machine-learning prediction, molecular modelling and nanocarrier development are used to assess Eriodictyol of Ocimum tenuiflorum as a possible anti-breast-cancer treatment against the progesterone receptor (PR). A BindingDB curated dataset was modelled with the aid of a variety of algorithms, and the best results were obtained with Rand Forest (accuracy 78.12, kappa 0.5361). Molecular docking predicted the presence of affinity of binding at -14.4 kcal/mol and rich interaction profile comprising six hydrogen bonds, three hydrophobic contacts, and a p-p stacking interaction with the key residues GLN725, MET756, LEU715, LEU718 and also PHE778. The stability of the complex was verified through molecular dynamics (100 ns, OPLS-2005 force field, 300K) where the protein RMSD error stayed within 1.0-1.6 A, and high hydrogen-bond occupancy (LEU715: 0.90; LEU718: 0.85). MM-GBSA analysis had produced a good binding free energy of -51.00 kcal/mol. The solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with erythrolictol showed good physicochemical characteristics such as; 90% encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity of 9.7, particle size of 120-130 nm and zeta potential of -30 mv. The pH-responsive release was noted (95 and 63 percent at pH 7.4 and pH 5.1, respectively) which followed the first-order reaction (r 2 = 0.981). Cytotoxicity tests revealed that it had a dose dependent inhibition with IC 50 of 37.2 μg/mL. In general, the combined results can justify Eriodictyol-SLNs as a potential therapeutic agent in breast cancer.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review Sulthan Al Rashid, Arun Suriyan, Mohamed Bilal Azam, Rajkapoor Balasubramanian, Naina Mohamed Pakkir Maideen, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Palanisamy Amirthalingam Hormone and Metabolic Research, 2026 Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis are increasingly concerning health issues, especially in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, where metabolic problems drive liver disease progression. While lifestyle changes remain essential, new drug strategies—particularly sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists—have gained growing interest for their potential to protect the liver. This review examines how sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists might help treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, focusing on their mechanisms of action, study evidence, and results from meta-analyses. A thorough search of the literature found studies on how these drugs affect insulin sensitivity, liver fat, and inflammation. Preclinical models show that they can lower liver fat, reduce oxidative stress, and decrease fibrosis markers. Clinical trials and meta-analyses support their potential to improve liver enzyme levels, decrease liver fat, and slow fibrosis growth. Overall, sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists appear promising in the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Still, more long-term research studies are needed to confirm how well they work, how safe they are, and the best way to use them, either alone or in combination with other treatments. These drugs may represent important advances in the treatment of liver diseases linked to metabolic problems.
Galectin-3 as a cardiac biomarker Asif Ahmad Bhat, Yahia Alghazwani, Kumarappan Chidambaram, M.M. Rekha, Samir Sahoo, Pavan Goud, Nadeem Sayyed, Vikas Jakhmola, Moyad Shahwan, Imran Kazmi, Sami I. Alzarea, Omar Awad Alsaidan Clinica Chimica Acta, 2026
Immunoassay-based biomarkers in atopic dermatitis Khalid Orayj, Vijaya Paul Samuel, Shakir Saleem, Sahithya Ravali Ravula, Haider Ali, Gaurav Gupta, K. Benod Kumar, Pran Kishore Deb, Kumarappan Chidambaram Clinica Chimica Acta, 2026
Computer-aided biopharmaceutical model development Balakumar Chandrasekaran, Mohammad F. Bayan, Nadia Mansour, Rahaf Oweis, Raneem Al-Halabi, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Rajwinder Kaur Physico Chemical Aspects of Dosage Forms and Biopharmaceutics Recent and Future Trends in Pharmaceutics Volume 2, 2024
Celastrol: A Potential Natural Lead Molecule for New Drug Design, Development and Therapy for Memory Impairment Muhamad Azrul Amir Yusri, Mahendran Sekar, Ling Shing Wong, Siew Hua Gan, Subban Ravi, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, Kumarappan Chidambaram, M Yasmin Begum, Mohankumar Ramar, Sher Zaman Safi, Siddharthan Selvaraj, Yuan Seng Wu, Palanisamy Revathy, Shivkanya Fuloria, Neeraj Kumar Fuloria, Pei Teng Lum, Sinouvassane Djearamane Drug Design Development and Therapy, 2023
Synbiotic Effects of Fermented Rice on Human Health and Wellness: A Natural Beverage That Boosts Immunity Shivkanya Fuloria, Jyoti Mehta, Manash Pratim Talukdar, Mahendran Sekar, Siew Hua Gan, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, M. Yasmin Begum, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Rusli Nordin, Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Maziz, Kathiresan V. Sathasivam, Pei Teng Lum, Neeraj Kumar Fuloria Frontiers in Microbiology, 2022
Hepatoprotective effect of combined extracts of Andrographis paniculata, Boerhavia diffusa, Eclipta alba and Picrorhiza kurroa on carbon tetrachloride and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 2022
Genome editing and cancer: How far has research moved forward on CRISPR/Cas9? Saikat Mitra, Joyatry Sarker, Anik Mojumder, Tasmim Bintae Shibbir, Rajib Das, Talha Bin Emran, Trina Ekawati Tallei, Firzan Nainu, Asma M. Alshahrani, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Jesus Simal-Gandara Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 2022
Kirenol: A Potential Natural Lead Molecule for a New Drug Design, Development, and Therapy for Inflammation Naurah Nabihah Nasir, Mahendran Sekar, Shivkanya Fuloria, Siew Hua Gan, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, Subban Ravi, M. Yasmin Begum, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Kathiresan V. Sathasivam, Srikanth Jeyabalan, Arulmozhi Dhiravidamani, Lakshmi Thangavelu, Pei Teng Lum, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Yuan Seng Wu, Abul Kalam Azad, Neeraj Kumar Fuloria Molecules, 2022
Prospective Role of Peptide-Based Antiviral Therapy Against the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 Shafi Mahmud, Gobindo Kumar Paul, Suvro Biswas, Shamima Afrose, Mohasana Akter Mita, Md. Robiul Hasan, Mst. Sharmin Sultana Shimu, Alomgir Hossain, Maria Meha Promi, Fahmida Khan Ema, Kumarappan Chidambaram, Balakumar Chandrasekaran, Ali M. Alqahtani, Talha Bin Emran, Md. Abu Saleh Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 2021
Anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wild. flowers in alloxan-treated diabetic rats Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Research, 2021
In vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant potential of leaf and bark fractions of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Research, 2019
Ichnocarpus frutescens: A valuable medicinal plant Pharmacologyonline, 2015
Polyphenol extract of ichnocarpus frutescens leaves modifies hyperglycemia in dexamethasone (dex) treated rats Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 2014
Modulatory effect of polyphenolic extracts of ichnocarpus frutescens on oxidative stress in rats with experimentally induced diabetes Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2012
Preparation and enhanced in-vitro diffusion profile of naproxen by epas technique in hydrogel formulation Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures, 2012
In vitro anticholinergic and antihistaminic activities of Acorus calamus Linn. leaves extracts. African Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines Ajtcam African Networks on Ethnomedicines, 2012
Computational and Experimental Insights into Quinazoline Derivatives: Targeting HOTAIR for Therapeutic Intervention in Breast Cancer AM Alqahtani, T Alqahtani, S Arulsamy, SM Keny, M Velraj, ... Computational Biology and Chemistry, 109080 , 2026 2026
Naringenin-Loaded PEGylated CuO Nanoparticles: In vitro and In silico Insights into Synergistic Therapy Against Triple Negative Breast Cancer YI Asiri, S Alqahtani, K Chidambaram, P Arthi, A Sivapunniyam, ... Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 1-28 , 2026 2026
Sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and its potential as functional food: a comprehensive review on its chemistry, pharmacological, and industrial importance R Logesh, SR Prasad, K Chidambaram, HP Devkota Phytochemistry Reviews, 1-38 , 2026 2026
Correction: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated … S Al Rashid, A Suriyan, MB Azam, R Balasubramanian, NMP Maideen, ... Hormone and Metabolic Research , 2026 2026
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic … S Al Rashid, A Suriyan, MB Azam, R Balasubramanian, NMP Maideen, ... Hormone and Metabolic Research , 2026 2026
Computational prediction and SLN formulation of Narcissin for reverse transcriptase inhibition and controlled drug delivery applications T Alqahtani, HM Alharbi, S Arulsamy, SM Keny, M Velraj, K Chidambaram, ... Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 102904 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Quorum quenching bacteria and their application in the medical field S Qamar, G Singh, A Roy, K Chidambaram Harnessing Quorum Quenching for Disease Management, 177-199 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Dose-Sparing Efficacy of d-Limonene with Low-Dose Allopurinol in a Dual Model of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis in Rats K Venkatesan, P Muralidharan, D Sivadasan, M Pichaivel, YI Asiri, ... Nutrients 18 (1), 72 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Cyanobacteria-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Novel Frontier in Drug Delivery and Therapeutics KA Asseri, K Venkatesan, YI Asiri, S Alqahtani, T Alqahtani, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27 (1), 4 , 2025 2025
Flavonoid‐Rich Peanut Shell ( Arachis hypogaea ) Extract as a Functional Food Targeting Pancreatic Lipase to Regulate Lipid Metabolism in Rats R Logesh, D Solanki, K Chidambaram, D Tewari, S Mehdi Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 69 (24), e70325 , 2025 2025
Functional and biological characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum with isatin for use as probiotics for therapeutic options R Ravindhiran, M Subramanian, M Rajalingam, M Gunasekaran, ... Journal of Asian Natural Products Research 27 (11), 1673-1689 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
In-Depth Review of Breast Cancer and Inflammation Pre-and Post-Treatment Strategies with Conventional and Novel Steroid Agents P Theivendren, P Narayanasamy, K Chidamabaram, S Menon, ... Advances in Biological Regulation, 101102 , 2025 2025 Citations: 12
Synthesis of Pyrimidine-Based Analogues: A Comprehensive Review MGM C. R. Santhosh, Sampath Chinnam, Sagar Jalahalli Shivaram, ViolaTressa ... Journal of Chemical Reviews 7 (4), 591-634 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Targeting KRAS-G12C in lung cancer: The emerging role of PROTACs in overcoming resistance K Chidambaram, A Rekha, A Goyal, M Rana Pathology-Research and Practice 270, 155954 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
ATAD2 bromodomain in cancer therapy: Current status and future perspectives T Biju, C Venkatesh, DB Honnasiddappa, M Sajjan, NK Mahadeva, ... International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 311, 143948 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Fabrication of Achyranthes aspera extract loaded ZIF-8 nanocomposite for lung cancer treatment, an in vitro assessment L Govindan, P Raju, S Kannaiah, N Arunprakash, S Alqahtani, ... 3 Biotech 15 (6), 191 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Uncovering the Predisposing Factors of Mucormycosis: Insights from Systematic Review R Ravindhiran, K Chidambaram, A Subramanian, S Velayutham, ... Indian Journal of Microbiology, 1-14 , 2025 2025
Codon usage is influenced by compositional constraints in genes associated with dementia (vol 13, 884348, 2022) T Alqahtani, R Khandia, N Puranik, AM Alqahtani, Y Alghazwani, ... FRONTIERS IN GENETICS 16 , 2025 2025
Corrigendum: Codon usage is influenced by compositional constraints in genes associated with dementia T Alqahtani, R Khandia, N Puranik, AM Alqahtani, Y Alghazwani, ... Frontiers in Genetics 16, 1556255 , 2025 2025
Capsaicin-entangled Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes against Breast cancer: A Theoretical and Experimental Approach GK Radhakrishna, SH Ramesh, SD Almeida, G Sireesha, S Ramesh, ... Journal of Cluster Science 35 (8), 2849-2869 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
A Comprehensive Review on the Therapeutic Potential of Curcuma longa Linn S Fuloria, J Mehta, A Chandel, M Sekar, N Rani, MY Begum, ... Front. Pharmacol. 13: 820806. doi: 10.3389/fphar , 2022 2022 Citations: 621
α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Senna surattensis E Thilagam, B Parimaladevi, C Kumarappan, S Chandra Mandal Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies 6 (01), 24-30 , 2013 2013 Citations: 260
The multifunctional role of herbal products in the management of diabetes and obesity: a comprehensive review MM Rahman, MR Islam, S Shohag, ME Hossain, MS Rahaman, F Islam, ... Molecules 27 (5), 1713 , 2022 2022 Citations: 200
Natural small molecules in breast cancer treatment: understandings from a therapeutic viewpoint MR Islam, F Islam, MH Nafady, M Akter, S Mitra, R Das, H Urmee, ... Molecules 27 (7), 2165 , 2022 2022 Citations: 148
Recent advances in multifunctional nanomaterials for photothermal-enhanced Fenton-based chemodynamic tumor therapy P Manivasagan, A Joe, HW Han, T Thambi, M Selvaraj, K Chidambaram, ... Materials Today Bio 13, 100197 , 2022 2022 Citations: 148
In silico molecular docking analysis of karanjin against alzheimer’s and parkinson’s diseases as a potential natural lead molecule for new drug design, development and therapy C Gnanaraj, M Sekar, S Fuloria, SS Swain, SH Gan, K Chidambaram, ... Molecules 27 (9), 2834 , 2022 2022 Citations: 129
Diallyl Disulfide: A Bioactive Garlic Compound with Anticancer Potentials S Mitra, R Das, TB Emran, RK Labib, F Islam, R Sharma, I Ahmad, ... Frontiers in Pharmacology 11 (743454), 2669 , 2022 2022 Citations: 128
In vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities of Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore bark C Sunil, P Agastian, C Kumarappan, S Ignacimuthu Food and Chemical Toxicology 50 (5), 1547-1553 , 2012 2012 Citations: 116
Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extracts of Ichnocarpus frutescens CT Kumarappan, E Thilagam, SC Mandal Saudi journal of biological sciences 19 (3), 349-355 , 2012 2012 Citations: 108
Multifunctional biomimetic nanofibrous scaffold loaded with asiaticoside for rapid diabetic wound healing S Anand, PS Rajinikanth, DK Arya, P Pandey, RK Gupta, R Sankhwar, ... Pharmaceutics 14 (2), 273 , 2022 2022 Citations: 92
Effect of Biophytum sensitivum on streptozotocin and nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats PK Ananda, CT Kumarappan, S Christudas, VK Kalaichelvan Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2 (01), 31-35 , 2012 2012 Citations: 91
Multilayered nanofibrous scaffold of Polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) enriched with hemostatic/antibacterial agents for rapid acute hemostatic wound healing G Pandey, P Pandey, DK Arya, S Kanaujiya, DD Kapoor, RK Gupta, ... International Journal of Pharmaceutics 638, 122918 , 2023 2023 Citations: 90
Hormonal therapy for gynecological cancers: how far has science progressed toward clinical applications? S Mitra, MS Lami, A Ghosh, R Das, TE Tallei, Fatimawali, F Islam, ... Cancers 14 (3), 759 , 2022 2022 Citations: 90
Medicinal Plants of Solanum Species: The Promising Sources of Phyto‐Insecticidal Compounds K Chidambaram, T Alqahtani, Y Alghazwani, A Aldahish, S Annadurai, ... Journal of Tropical Medicine 2022 (1), 4952221 , 2022 2022 Citations: 86
Inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes by Talinum portulacifolium (Forssk) leaf extract. SC Mandal, ML Sabapathi, T Ellappan, KA Chidambaram, ... Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine 5 (1) , 2008 2008 Citations: 73
Chemistry, biosynthesis and Pharmacology of viniferin: Potential resveratrol-derived molecules for new drug discovery, development and therapy S Fuloria, M Sekar, FS Khattulanuar, SH Gan, NNIM Rani, S Ravi, ... Molecules 27 (16), 5072 , 2022 2022 Citations: 71
Antibacterial Potential of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. and Its Bioactive Molecules against Uropathogens—An In Silico Study to Identify Potential Lead Molecule(s … J Mehta, K Utkarsh, S Fuloria, T Singh, M Sekar, D Salaria, R Rolta, ... Molecules 27 (15), 4971 , 2022 2022 Citations: 70
Electrospun biomimetic multifunctional nanofibers loaded with ferulic acid for enhanced antimicrobial and wound-healing activities in STZ-Induced diabetic rats S Anand, P Pandey, MY Begum, K Chidambaram, DK Arya, RK Gupta, ... Pharmaceuticals 15 (3), 302 , 2022 2022 Citations: 70
Silibinin and Naringenin against Bisphenol A-Induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish model—Potential flavonoid molecules for new drug design, development, and therapy for … G Thayumanavan, S Jeyabalan, S Fuloria, M Sekar, M Ravi, LK Selvaraj, ... Molecules 27 (8), 2572 , 2022 2022 Citations: 69
Antihaemolytic and snake venom neutralizing effect of some Indian medicinal plants C Kumarapppan, A Jaswanth, K Kumarasunderi Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 4 (9), 743-747 , 2011 2011 Citations: 69
