Dr. Smitha V. B.

Dr. Smitha V. B.
Professor
School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala

📧 smithanishad@gmail.com
📞 +91 81398 66731

Profile:
A molecular oncologist with extensive research experience in cancer biology and natural product therapeutics. Her work explores the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression, drug resistance, and chemosensitization, focusing on identifying bioactive phytochemicals with translational potential in cancer therapy.

Education and Academic Qualifications

• PhD. in Biotechnology – Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram (Supervisor: Dr. Ruby John Anto, Retd. Scientist G, Division of Cancer Research, RGCB)
• BSc. in Biotechnology – Cochin University of Science and Technology
• MSc. in Zoology – Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam (Mahatma Gandhi University)

Research Area

Molecular Oncology: Pioneering research into molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and response to therapy. Her lab focuses on identifying molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, understanding signaling pathways in response to chemotherapeutics, and exploring bioactive natural compounds with anticancer properties.

Research Team

• Ph.D (Awarded): Dr. Aiswarya U S – Cucurbitacin B as a candidate drug against melanoma
• Dr. Faisal Moossa Athikkavil – Royleanone exhibits chemotherapeutic efficacy against colorectal cancer
• Dr. Remya Johny – Anticancer Potential of Eudesmanolides Derived from Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski
• Ph.D (Submitted): Meghna Sudhesh
• Ph.D (Ongoing): Mubashira Thasneem, Anju Y, Aleena E T
• PDF (Completed): Dr. Amrutha Nisthul A – Synergistic effect of Cucurbitacin and BRAF inhibitors/natural chemopreventives against melanoma

Publications (Peer-Reviewed International Journals)

1. Curcumin sensitizes human cervical cancer cells to paclitaxel by down-regulating NF-κB and Akt pathways. Biol. Chem. 280 (8): 6301–6308 (2005).
2. Cucurbitacin I elicits chemotherapeutic efficacy through JAK/STAT inhibition and apoptosis induction in cervical carcinoma. Cell. Mol. Med. 14 (3): 636–646 (2010).
3. Curcumin suppresses tumour cell proliferation and potentiates radiation-induced apoptosis via downregulation of NF-κB. Cancer 9: 220 (2010).
4. NF-κB-mediated transcriptional regulation of cyclin D1 by curcumin in breast cancer cells. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 43 (3): 331–341 (2011).
5. Differential role of p73 isoforms in mediating chemosensitivity of tumour cells to curcumin. Oncogene 30 (28): 3139 (2011).
6. Synergistic action of resveratrol and curcumin inhibits NF-κB signalling and sensitizes tumour cells to apoptosis. PLoS One 9 (8): e104401 (2014).
7. Curcumin modulates miR-21 and PTEN expression to inhibit tumour invasion. BioFactors 41 (6): 431–442 (2015).
8. Natural products as chemosensitizers for overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy. Med. 48 (3): 149–161 (2016).
9. Royleanone inhibits colon cancer cell growth by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Cell Prolif. 52:e12671 (2019).
10. Cucurbitacin B exerts antitumor effects in melanoma through modulation of MAPK signalling. Cell Death Discov. 7 (1): 14 (2021).
11. Natural phytochemicals as modulators of oncogenic signalling: a systems perspective. Oncol. 11: 656804 (2021).
12. Cucurbitacin B targets BRAF and STAT3 to inhibit melanoma progression. Oncol. 12: 903832 (2022).
13. Eudesmanolides derived from Sphagneticola trilobata suppress metastasis through PI3K/Akt inhibition. Mol. Life Sci. 79 (9): 1–19 (2022).
14. Royleanone exhibits potent anti-tumour efficacy against colorectal carcinoma via apoptosis induction. Target. Anti-tumor Ther. 4: 227–239 (2023).
15. Isolation and bioactivity evaluation of secondary metabolites from Corallocarpus epigaeus. Prod. J. (2025) DOI: 10.2174/0122103155396708250716063401.
16. Phytochemical profiling and therapeutic prospects of Cucurbitacin B analogs in liver cancer. Drug Sci. 3: 100885 (2025).

Papers and Abstracts Presented in Conferences/Seminars

Presented and published over 30 papers and abstracts in national and international conferences including Kerala Science Congress, International Workshop on Cervical Cancer (NCBS, Bangalore), ICTCR, and INSIGHT 2025. Topics focus on molecular oncology, chemotherapeutic mechanisms, and natural anticancer compounds.

Book Chapters

1. Phenolics of the functional food – Curcumin: A nutraceutical with chemosensitive properties. Pharma Med Press (2007).
2. Curcumin as a Chemosensitizer in Paclitaxel Chemotherapy Against Cervical Cancer. Springer (2013).
3. Unveiling the Potency of Phyto-Constituents to Target TNBC. Therapeutic Drug Targets and Phytomedicine (2023).
4. Selenium Metabolic Pathway in Ferroptotic Cell Death. Springer (2023).
5. Role of Plant-Derived Extracellular Nanovesicles in Triggering Innate Immune Response. CRC Press (2024).
6. Cucurbitacin B: A Potential Therapeutic Agent Against Liver Cancer. World Scientific (2025).

Research Projects

Principal Investigator, KSCSTE-funded project (₹31 lakhs): Isolation, identification and characterization of anticancer principles from Corallocarpus epigaeus.

Collaborations

• CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST)
• KSCSTE – Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals (COEIN)
• DBT – Department of Biotechnology, University of Calicut

Awards and Scholarships

• Peraringnar Anna Award – Madurai Kamaraj University (2005) for best research in Cancer Biology
• CSIR Research Fellowship (Dec 2001)
• UGC-NET Qualified (July 2001)

Invited Lectures

Delivered invited talks at various national and international seminars, including sessions at Calicut University, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), and IUCBR & SSH Foundation Day 2025. Key themes: Bioprospecting for chemotherapeutic agents, Molecular biology of cancer, and Women in Science initiatives.

Memberships in Academic Bodies

• Member, Society for Biotechnologists (India)
• Member, Indian Association of Cancer Research
• Member, Society for Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases

Conferences and Courses Organized

• Coordinator – Value Added Course (2025): ‘Bridging Biotech Research and Industry’
• Organising Secretary – International Conference on Current Trends in Biotechnology (2024)
• Organising Secretary – National Seminar ‘Young Scientists Meet’ (2018)