• Basic biology of cardioetabolic syndromes (CVD, Diabetes, Obesity, NAFLD)
• Leads generations from traditionally known medicinal plants  for metabolic syndromes

Ph.D. Experimental Biology (1991), Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India

MSc. Zoology (1985), Calicut University, Kerala 

• Scientist B (18 September 1995 – 17 September 2000) worked on drug development for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and safety pharmacology at the CSIR Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow.
• Scientist C (18 September 2000 – 17 September 2006) continued research in drug development for CVD and safety pharmacology at the CSIR Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow.
• Senior Scientist (18 September 2006 – 14 September 2008) conducted research in drug development for CVD and safety pharmacology at the CSIR Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow.
• Senior Scientist (15 September 2008 – 17 September 2010) carried out research on the basic biology of cardio-metabolic syndromes and development of leads at CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram.
• Principal Scientist (18 September 2010 – 17 September 2015) focused on research into the basic biology of metabolic syndromes and development of leads at CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram.
• Senior Principal Scientist (18 September 2015 – 17 September 2021) conducted research on the basic biology of metabolic syndromes and bioactives at CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram.
• Chief Scientist (18 September 2021 – continuing) is engaged in research on the basic biology of metabolic syndromes and bioactives at CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram.

• S.S. Parmar Foundation Research Prize awarded by Indian Academy of Neuroscience.
• Hari Ohm Ashram Perit Bhaika Inter University, Smarak Trust Award by Sardar Patel University, India for best publication.
• The article entitled “Characterization of cytotoxicity induced by arsenic trioxide (a potent anti-APL drug) in rat cardiac myocytes” appeared in Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 23, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 61-68 had been selected as one among TOP 25 hottest articles
• CSIR (Govt. of India) Technology Award (2009) for the development of synthetic endoperoxide antimalarials as substitute to artemisinine derivatives (As team member).
• Co Investigator of a presentation entitled “studies on biosynthetic hydrogels for tissue engineering - effect of free water on cell penetration and survival grade Injectable scaffold   which had been adjudged for young scientist award in Kerala science congress in 2011.

Patent: Under process

'Pyrazole Amide Based Compounds And Uses Against Breast Cancer Thereof'

Inventor(s)   Sulochana Priya (Principal Investigator),  Sasidhar Balappa Somappa, Kozhiparambil Gopalan Raghu,Sreerenjini Lakshmi, Kizhakkan Thiruthi Ashitha

CSIR-SRF, CSIR-National Institute For Interdisciplinary Science And Technology, Trivandrum-695019, Kerala, India.

Ongoing Projects

1. Unveiling the microbial and metabolic landscape of infantile colic in Indian infants: a metagenomics and culturomics approach for novel probiotic development and maternal-infant gut microbiome interaction. PI: Dr. Aparna C Rajeev,  Mentor: Dr. Raghu (JCMR), (BioCARe) 2025-28,  Rs53 Lakhs

2. Clinical validation of traditional millet recipes roti/dosa/khichidi in maintaining healthy intestinal microbial flora and preventing lifestyle associated complications. Dr. Priya S (CSIR_NIIST), Dr. Raghu K G, JCMR  Dr. Preethi M Shenoy, Biochemistry Dept, DST 2024-2027, Rs 74.33 Lakhs, Jubilee Share Rs 29 Lakhs

2025

Dhanya, T.M., Kurup, M.P., Rajimon, K.J., Krishna, G.A., Varughese, J.K., Raghu, K.G., Philip, S., Divya, K.M., Augustine, M. and Mohanan, P.V., 2025. Unveiling the multifaceted bioactivity of copper (ii)–Schiff base complexes: a comprehensive study of antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic potentials with DFT insights. Dalton Transactions, 54(8), pp.3216-3234.

Dhanya, T.M., Rajimon, K.J., Varughese, J.K., Raghu, K.G., Krishna, G.A., Philip, S., Pillai, S.S., Rineesh, P.A., Breitener, P. and Mohanan, P.V., 2025. Synthesis, characterization, and biophysical and chemical properties of benzo [b] thiophene derivatives and their metal complexes. New Journal of Chemistry, 49(7), pp.2850-2869.

2024

Jayarajan, R.O., Chakraborty, S., Raghu, K.G., Purushothaman, J. and Veleri, S., 2024. Joubert syndrome causing mutation in C2 domain of CC2D2A affects structural integrity of cilia and cellular signaling molecules. Experimental Brain Research, 242(3), pp.619-637.

Jayaraj, J., Kumar, S.A., Srinivasan, A., Raghu, K.G., Arunchandran, C. and Rajinikanth, V., 2024. Corrosion and in vitro characteristics of cerium phosphate based chemical conversion coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy. Applied Surface Science, 644, p.158797.

2023

G. Anjali Krishna, T.M. Dhanya, A.A. Shanty, K.G. Raghu, P.V. Mohanan. Transition metal complexes of imidazole-derived Schiff bases: biological and cytotoxic properties. Journal of Molecular Structure. 1274, 134384 (2023).

2022

Sruthi C.R., Raghu K.G. Methylglyoxal promotes cancer-favorable metabolic reprogramming in HepG2 cells via the Warburg effect. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (2022).

Rema Sreenivasan Soumya, Kozhiparambil Gopalan Raghu. Recent advances in nanoparticle-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Journal of Cardiology (2022).

Poornima M.S., Sindhu G., Billu A., Sruthi C.R., Nisha P., Gogoi P., Baishya G., Raghu K.G. Hydroethanolic extract of Dillenia indica attenuates NAFLD via SIRT-1/p-LKB-1/AMPK and lipid-regulating pathways. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2022).

Drissya T., Induja D.K., Poornima M.S., Jesmina A.R.S., Prabha B., Saumini M., Suresh C.H., Raghu K.G., Kumar B.S.D., Lankalapalli R.S. Aureothin diepoxide derivative from Streptomyces sp. NIIST-D31. Journal of Antibiotics (2022).

Arun Kumar S., Rajesh K.R., Jithu Jayaraj, Raghu K.G., Srinivasan A. Corrosion behavior of Mg-Zn-RE alloys. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance (2022).

Anupama Nair, Preetha Rani M.R., Salin Raj P., Rajankutty K., Ranjith S., Raghu K.G. Cinnamic acid protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy through cardioprotective and antidyslipidemic effects. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (2022).

Savitha D. Pradeep, Anjali K. Gopalakrishnan, Divya K. Manoharan, Rema S. Soumya, Raghu K. Gopalan, Puzhavoorparambil V.M. Mohanan. Isatin-derived Schiff bases as versatile pharmacophores. Journal of Molecular Structure (2022).

P. Salin Raj, Anupama Nair, Preetha Rani M.R., Rajankutty K., Ranjith S., Raghu K.G. Ferulic acid attenuates high-glucose-induced MAM alterations and diabetic cardiomyopathy. International Journal of Cardiology (2022).

2021

Renjitha Jalaja, Shyni G. Leela, Sangeetha Mohan, Mangalam S. Nair, Raghu K. Gopalan, Sasidhar B. Somappa. Anti-hyperlipidemic potential of natural product-based labdane-pyrroles via inhibition of cholesterol and triglycerides synthesis. Bioorganic Chemistry (2021).

Sruthi C.R., and Raghu K.G. Advanced glycation end products and their adverse effects: The role of autophagy. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (2021).

Sreelekshmi M., Raghu K.G. Vanillic acid mitigates impairments in glucose metabolism in HepG2 cells through BAD-GK interaction during hyperinsulinemia. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (2021).

Shyni G.L., Sajin K.F., Mangalam S.N., Raghu K.G. An in vitro study reveals the anti-obesity effects of a Myristica fragrans-derived benzofuran compound. European Journal of Pharmacology (2021).

Shyni G.L., Renjitha J., Somappa S.B., Raghu K.G. Zerumin A attenuates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (2021).

Sreelekshmi Mohan, Genu George, Raghu K.G. Vanillic acid retains redox status in HepG2 cells during hyperinsulinemic shock via the mitochondrial pathway. Food Bioscience (2021).

Genu George, Shyni G.L., Billu Abraham, P. Nisha, Raghu K.G. Downregulation of TLR4/MyD88/p38MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways in RAW 264.7 cells by Alpinia galanga reveals anti-inflammatory effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2021).

Vineetha V.P., Raghu K.G. Phloretin alleviates arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts via Ca²⁺/calcineurin/NFATc pathway modulation. Cardiovascular Toxicology (2021).

Karunakaran V., Saritha V.N., Ramya A.N., Murali V.P., Raghu K.G., Sujathan K., Maiti K.K. Raman image-guided differential recognition of cervical exfoliated cells by dual biomarker-appended SERS-tag. Analytical Chemistry (2021).

Preetha Rani M.R., Salin Raj P., Anupama Nair, Ranjith R., Rajankutty, Raghu K.G. Chlorogenic acid protects against ER stress-mediated ER-phagy and apoptosis in diabetic rat heart. Chemico-Biological Interactions (2021).

2020

Swapna Sasi U.S., Sindhu G., Raghu K.G. Fructose-palmitate based high calorie induce steatosis in HepG2 cells via mitochondrial dysfunction: An in vitro approach. Toxicology in Vitro. 68, 104952 (2020).

Karunakaran V., Saritha V.N., Joseph M.M., Nair J.B., Saranya G., Raghu K.G., Sujathan K., Kumar K.S., and Maiti K.K. Diagnostic spectro-cytology revealing differential recognition of cervical cancer lesions by label-free surface enhanced Raman fingerprints and chemometrics. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine. 29, 102276 (2020).

Soumya R.S., Govindan Unni T., and Raghu K.G. Impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system: A review of available reports. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy. 35, 411–425 (2020).

Genu George, Shyni G.L., and Raghu K.G. Current and novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammopharmacology. 28, 1457–1476 (2020).