Small Animal Research Facility
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SARF—Committed to humane, ethical, and regulatory-compliant animal research since 2015.
At SARF, we undertake comprehensive toxicology and preclinical efficacy studies in accordance with established national and international regulatory guidelines, supporting the systematic evaluation of safety and therapeutic potential of investigational compounds. Our toxicological assessments encompass acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity studies, along with detailed immunotoxicity evaluations, enabling robust characterization of dose-dependent effects, target organ toxicity, and immune-related responses.
In parallel, the facility supports a broad spectrum of preclinical efficacy studies using well-validated disease models. These include anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory studies designed to assess pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, and therapeutic relevance. Behavioral assessments are also conducted to evaluate neurological, cognitive, and functional outcomes where appropriate. Together, these integrated approaches allow for a comprehensive and translational assessment of both safety and efficacy, facilitating informed decision-making during early-stage drug development and preclinical advancement.
Investigation of Subacute Toxicity and Alterations in Gut Microbiome in Naladadi Ghritam-Treated Rats
Principal Investigator: Dr. Remya Chandran, Post-Doctoral Fellow, JCMR, JMMC&RI
Co-investigator: Dr. Dileep Vijayan, Scientist D, JCMR, JMMC&RI
Funding Agency: Kerala State Higher Education Council
Year: 2025
Toxicity Studies and Dosage Optimization of GI-Tagged Sesamum Oil: Investigation into Acute and Subacute Toxicity in Rats
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dileep Vijayan, Scientist D, JCMR, JMMC&RI
Co-investigator: Dr. Remya Chandran, Post-Doctoral Fellow, JCMR, JMMC&RI
Funding Agency: Onattukara Vikasana Agency, Government of Kerala
Year: 2025
Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Effects of Micronized Curcumin Formulations (MICF)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Remya Chandran, Post-Doctoral Fellow, JCMR, JMMC&RI
Co-investigator: Dr. Dileep Vijayan, Scientist D, JCMR
Industry Partner: M/s Symega Food Ingredients, Kochi
Year: 2025
Exploration of Exosomal and Non-Exosomal microRNAs from Grapes Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Principal Investigator: Dr. Priya S., Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. Ranjith S.; Anusree K. P.; Asheela Devi P. J.
Funding Agency: SERB, New Delhi
Year: 2025
Investigation into the Bioavailability and Acute Toxicity of Micronized Curcumin Formulation in Rats
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dileep Vijayan, Scientist D, JCMR
Co-investigator: Dr. Remya Chandran
Industry Partner: M/s Symega Food Ingredients, Kochi
Year: 2024
Assessment of Acute Toxicity of Selected Phytochemicals with Potential MAO-B Inhibitory Capacity
Principal Investigator: Ms. Aiswarya N., Research Fellow, JCMR
Co-investigators: Dr. Dileep Vijayan; Dr. Remya Chandran
Funding Agency: Spices Board India, Kochi
Year: 2024
Assessment of Acute Toxicity of Five Medhya Rasayana Formulations
Principal Investigator: Dr. Remya Chandran, Post-Doctoral Fellow, JCMR
Co-investigator: Dr. Dileep Vijayan
Funding Agency: Kerala State Higher Education Council
Year: 2024
Alkaloids from Carica papaya L. Leaf on Platelet Proteins in a Thrombocytopenic Rat Model
Principal Investigator: Ms. Arya J., Research Fellow, JCMR
Co-investigators: Dr. Mathew John; Dr. Krishnakumar K.
Funding Agency: UGC
Year: 2023
Contamination of Dioxin-like Persistent Organic Pollutants in Animal-Origin Human Foods and Risk Assessment
Principal Investigator: Mr. Rahul M. Chirakkal, Project Associate, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. C. Kesavachandran; Dr. Ranjith S.
Funding Agency: CSIR, New Delhi
Duration: 2022–2023
Biocompatible Polymer–Polysaccharide Core-Shell VEGF-Targeted Nanocarrier for Sustained Therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kaustabh Kumar Maiti, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. K. G. Raghu; Ms. Vidhyalekshmi M. S.; Ms. Vishnupriya Murali; Dr. Ranjith S.
Funding Agency: CSIR, New Delhi
Duration: 2021–2022
Effect of Exercise and Exercise Cessation on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors – An Experimental Study
Principal Investigator: Dr. Reshmi R., PhD Scholar & Assistant Professor (Physiology)
Co-investigators: Dr. V. Suganthi Arasan; Dr. P. T. Annamala
Funding Agency: DBT, New Delhi
Year: 2020
Activity-Guided Screening of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors from Indian Medicinal Plants to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Principal Investigator: Dr. A. Kumaran, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. K. G. Raghu; Dr. P. Jayamurthy; Dr. Ranjith S.; Ms. Hari Priya V. M.
Funding Agency: JCMR
Duration: 2019–2020
Identification of Pro-protein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitors from Garcinia cambogia
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shyni G. L., DHR Young Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. K. G. Raghu; Dr. Ranjith S.
Funding Agency: DHR, New Delhi
Year: 2019
Generation of Potential VEGF, JAK1/JAK2, and IL-17 Modulators for Rheumatoid Arthritis from Traditional Medicinal Plants
Principal Investigator: Dr. Genu George, SERB-NPDF, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. K. G. Raghu; Dr. Ranjith S.
Funding Agency: SERB, New Delhi
Year: 2019
Evaluation of Beneficial Effect of Boeravinone B from Boerhaavia diffusa Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via Mitochondria-Mediated Pathway
Principal Investigator: Salin Raj P., DHR Young Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Dr. K. G. Raghu; Dr. Ranjith S.
Funding Agency: DHR, New Delhi
Year: 2019
Evaluation of Beneficial Effects of Ferulic Acid, Cinnamic Acid, and Chlorogenic Acid Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
Principal Investigator: Dr. K. G. Raghu, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIIST
Co-investigators: Anupama Nair; Preetha Rani M. R.; Salin Raj P.; Dr. Ranjith S.
Funding Agency: CSIR, New Delhi
Duration: 2018–2019
Dose-Related Effect of Green Tea Catechins on Different Systems in Rats – An Experimental Study
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shilpa A. V., Assistant Professor (Physiology), JMMC&RI
Co-investigators: Dr. Anu Francis; Dr. Biju Bahuleyan; Ambili Gopi Nair
Funding Agency: JCMR
Duration: 2016–2017
Effects of Sex, Sleep Deprivation, and Enriched Environment on Working Memory of Rats
Principal Investigator: Dr. Biju Bahuleyan, Professor & Head (Physiology), JMMC&RI
Co-investigators: Dr. Shilpa A. V.; Dr. Anu Francis; Silpa C. A.
Funding Agency: JCMR
Duration: 2015–2017
Effect of Carica papaya Linn. Unripe and Ripe Fruit Pulp Juice in Augmenting Platelet Count in Rats – An Experimental Study
Principal Investigator: Dr. M. I. Elsy, Professor & Head (Pharmacology), JMMC&RI
Co-investigators: Dr. Maria Jose; Dr. Sasmi M. B.
Funding Agency: JCMR
Duration: 2015–2017
Associative Olfactory Memory, Modulation of Hormonal Secretion, and Adult Neurogenesis in Mice
Principal Investigator: Dr. John Thomas, Scientist (JCMR), JMMC&RI
Co-investigator: Dr. Ranjith S., Professor (Anatomy)
Funding Agency: JCMR
Duration: 2015–2017
The Bruce Effect: Investigations on the Luteiotrophic Olfactory Mnemonic in Laboratory Mice
Researcher: Preji K. P., PhD Scholar (Zoology), Christ College, Irinjalakkuda, University of Calicut
Supervisors: Dr. John Thomas, Scientist (JCMR); Dr. Ranjith S., Professor (Anatomy)
Funding Agency: JCMR
Duration: 2015–2017
We provide comprehensive preclinical research services covering a wide range of toxicological and efficacy studies. Our capabilities include acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity studies to evaluate safety profiles and dose-related effects of test compounds. In addition, we conduct immunomodulatory studies to assess immune system responses and immune-related mechanisms of action.
The facility also offers validated efficacy studies to evaluate anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities using established experimental models. Furthermore, we support antibody production studies to enable immunological investigations, biomarker development, and translational research applications. Together, these services are designed to deliver reliable, high-quality data to support preclinical research and early-stage drug development.